Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success
College prep leader’s guide
and tool kit for conducting
parent workshops
Faith Communities and
American Indian Tribes
Helping Students Succeed
This project is funded in part by a Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) grant (PR Award #P11 6B030991). Additional
funding is provided by Oklahoma GEAR UP. The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with a state GEAR UP grant totaling $20.5
million in August 1999 and $20.6 million in August 2005. The grants have been matched by more than $47 million from state and partner
resources. With the addition of the 2005 multi-year, federal grant, Oklahoma’s GEAR UP program will ultimately receive more than $45.6 million in
federal funds by 2011. GEAR UP receives 49 percent of total funding from the federal government and 51 percent from other organizations.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246
as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations, do
not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, handicap, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices
or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. This publication, printed by
the State Regents, is issued by the State Regents as authorized by 70 O.S. Supp. 2001, Section 3206. 100 copies have been printed at a cost
of approximately $1,853.25. Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all the information supplied in this publication at the time of printing, however, changes
may occur and will supersede information in this publication.
• Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
Contents
5 Notes to leaders
7 Conducting a parent workshop
How to conduct a parent workshop – step-by-step
9 How to get parents to your workshop
11 Sample announcement
12 Sample invitation
13 Sample letter
15 How to present the program
16 Sample icebreakers
17 Family sensitivity and the value of a child being the first in the
family to go to college
21 Handout: Income realities
23 Myth vs. reality of preparing and planning for college
27 Worksheet: Your child’s reality
29 Terminology
31 College glossary
35 Differences in colleges
39 Different avenues to pursue to get to college
41 Helping your child with career exploration
43 Handout: What’s that degree worth?
45 Handout: Salary comparisons
47 Why your child should make good grades and take the right classes
51 Questions to ask during parent/teacher meetings
53 Worksheet: Parent/teacher meeting
55 How to work with the school counselor
57 Worksheet: Working with your counselor
59 Differences in financial aid
61 How to search and apply for financial aid
67 Handout: The search for financial aid
69 College costs and saving for college
• Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
73 Handout: Estimated costs for students at Oklahoma public
colleges and universities
75 Planning for college – A year-by-year guide
77 Handout: Planning for college – A year-by-year guide
81 How I can encourage my child and talk to my teen about going
to college
83 Handout: Goal setting tips for parents
87 Handout: Parent checklist – Preparing your child for college
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
Notes to leaders
Congratulations! You have agreed to participate in
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success. This program
is designed to help you teach students and parents of your
group how to get ready for college and how to get help in
paying for their college education.
This tool kit has been designed to walk you step-by-step
through the process. All the materials you need to successfully
conduct the training are included in this workbook or have been
provided ­separately.
At least one week before your training date, make sure
you have enough copies of the handout materials to
provide for each participant. Additional copies can be
ordered by ­contacting:
Edra Thrower
Project FAITH Coordinator
Phone: 405.225.9198
Fax: 405.225.9230
E-mail: ethrower@osrhe.edu
Tell her the name of the handout you need and the number
of copies. Give yourself enough time to have them shipped to
you. Most of the handout materials are also available on the
Oklahoma higher education Web site:
www.okhighered.org
• Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
Conducting a parent workshop
Research shows that parents are the single most influential
factor in helping children make decisions about the future.
This is why working with parents on college prep is such an
important endeavor. The following is a work list to follow to
ensure you have a successful parent workshop.
• Pick a time and place that is convenient for parents to attend.
Schedule a block of time that includes a time for parents to
visit socially.
• This workshop can be conducted by more than one person.
If you are working with a team of presenters, hold a
meeting prior to the workshop to discuss how to conduct the
workshop.
• Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
How to get parents
to your workshop
There are many different ways to tell parents about your
workshop. These may include posting flyers on bulletin boards,
sending letters or invitations, reminding parents or students at
every meeting your group sponsors, placing a notice in your
organization’s bulletin or having your organization’s leader
announce the workshop during worship. You may even think of
other ways to spread the word, such as asking everyone to tell
at least one other person.
We have provided a sample invitation, letter and announcement
on the following pages. Use these samples as a guide to create
the materials that will work best with members from your
organization.
The parent workshops and materials are intended for parents of
8th – 12th grade students.
If parents of younger children are interested, you have three options:
• Go ahead and offer a separate workshop to go over the 5th
– 7th grade materials.
• Encourage the parents to attend the 8th – 12th grade parent
workshop.
• Offer to provide them with the 5th – 7th grade materials
to take home and work on as a family. The 5th – 7th grade
materials include videos, DVDs, instructor’s guides, student
activity booklets and posters.
10 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 11
Sample announcement
Your Child CAN Go to College!
It Just Takes Some Planning
As a parent, you want the best future possible for
your child. In today’s world, that usually means a
college education. It is possible for every child to go
to college with the right planning and preparation.
Learn about financial aid opportunities, what grades
your child should make, what classes your child
should take, how to work with school counselors and
more at the [Insert your group’s name here] Project
FAITH in Student Success workshop.
WHEN:
[Insert date(s) and time(s) here]
WHERE:
[Insert place here, including room number, if
necessary. Be sure to include directions, if needed.]
WHO:
[Insert name and title of workshop leader or leaders]
Call [insert phone number] to sign up or for more
information. [You may want to include a place
where they can sign up if they have no access to a
telephone.]
This can be printed in your organization’s bulletins and
newsletters or on individual flyers. Also, you can use this as
your script for verbal announcements during meetings and
worship.
12 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Sample invitation
Your Child CAN Go to College!
It Just Takes Some Planning
You are invited to attend a special workshop
on how you can help your child go to college.
Learn about financial aid opportunities,
what grades your child should make,
what classes your child should take,
how to work with school counselors and more at the
[Insert your group’s name here] Project FAITH in Student
Success workshop.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success
Presented by [Your group’s name]
[Date(s) and time(s)]
[Place]
Call [Phone number] or see [Name]
for more information and to sign up.
The invitation can be printed on postcards and mailed out, or
handed out during meetings.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 13
Sample letter
Your organization’s letterhead
Your Child CAN Go to College!
It Just Takes Some Planning
Date (insert date)
Dear Parent:
Today any child that wants to can go to college. All it
requires is making the right plans and taking the right
steps.
[Your group’s name] wants to help you learn the things
you need to know to help your child prepare for a college
education. That is why we are offering the Oklahoma
Project FAITH in Student Success workshop.
By attending this workshop, you will learn about the
differences in colleges, ways to get to college, why your
child should make good grades and take the right classes,
how to work with school counselors and teachers, what
financial aid is available and how to apply for it, and much
more.
The workshop will be held [Date(s) and time(s)] at
[Place]. Leader(s) of the workshop will be [Name(s)].
To sign up or get more information, call [Phone number]
or see [Name] at [Location].
Sincerely,
Your signature
This should be printed on your organization’s letterhead.
14 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 15
How to present the program
Beginning the meeting
Welcome everyone
Welcome participants and thank them for taking an interest in
their children’s futures.
Introduce yourself and any other presenters
Introduce yourself and tell them how a college education has
made a difference in your life or in the life of someone you
know.
Start with an icebreaker
Chances are, your participants probably know each other since
they belong to the same organization. However, it is always
good to learn something new about someone you know, and an
icebreaker will help everyone feel more comfortable in this new
learning ­situation.
You may have your own favorite icebreaker, if
not, we have provided two options (see page 16).
Go over instructions for the day
The following rules should be observed by everyone attending
the session:
• There is no such thing as a silly or stupid question.
• Always show respect to the person speaking.
• Stay on topic with questions and answers.
• Sensitive questions should wait until after the session.
• Have fun.
Tell them what they should expect to learn in the workshop
• Family sensitivity and the value of your child being the first to
go to college
• Myth vs. reality of planning for college
• College-related terms or words they will need to know
• Differences in colleges
• Ways to get to college
• How to work with teachers and counselors
• What financial aid is available and how to apply for it
• Ways to save for college
• A year-by-year planning guide from 5th to 12th grade
16 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Sample icebreakers
Goal
To make the participants feel welcomed and to be at ease.
Materials needed
• Blank paper or notepads (not provided)
• Pencils (provided, make sure they are sharpened)
Getting started
Icebreaker #1: What’s in a Name?
Have each participant introduce themselves and have them
give a word starting with the first letter of their first name that
describes them (example: Lucky Larry or Dancing Donna). Ask
them to briefly explain its significance to the group.
Icebreaker #2: Pocket Personality
Participants must produce one object from their pocket, purse,
wallet or body (jewelry, belt, etc.) that has meaning for them
and explain its significance to the group.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 17
Section 1
Family sensitivity and the
value of a child being the first
in the family to go to college
Goal
To address concerns of parents who did not go to college.
A family who has never had anyone attend college faces many
challenges. This section will identify those challenges and
problems and help family members realize that being the first in
the family to go to college is a good thing.
Materials needed
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
• Income realities handout
Getting started
Go around the room and ask parents what grades their children
are in right now and hand out the appropriate parent guides.
Discuss
Ask participants if they have reasons for not wanting their
children to go to college. Here are some reasons parents have
had for not wanting their children to go to college:
• Reason 1
My son has a job, and without his income, we can’t make ends meet.
• REASSURANCE 1
It can be hard for families who depend on money from a
child’s job, but the long-term rewards of a college education
will mean more for the family in the long run.
• REASON 2
My daughter will not be the same person if she goes to
college.
18 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• REASSURANCE 2
Growth and change are natural and are not always bad
things. Parents should understand that their child will be the
same person but will be better equipped to succeed in the
world. Most first-generation college students report that they
want to go to college to gain respect, to bring honor to their
family and to help their families financially.
• REASON 3
I’m afraid my son won’t fit in at college.
• REASSURANCE 3
Many support groups are available to college students,
such as associations made up of students with similar faith,
ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Advisors and counselors
are available to help students find these groups. Support
from parents is very important to the success of a student in
­college.
Don’t let your fears hold your child back.
• REASON 4
Our family has always made their living by working with their
hands at a good trade. I want my son/daughter to come into
the family business with me.
• REASSURANCE 4
A college education can help a family business grow by
finding different ways to make the business successful. Just
because your son or daughter wants to go to college does not
mean they will not join in the family business.
Address those reasons with the benefits of going to college
Here are some benefits to getting a college education:
• It will be easier to get a job. Most companies want workers
who have college degrees, and there are more jobs available
for college graduates than for those without college degrees.
• People without college degrees are more likely to be
unemployed at some point in their lives.
• A person who has a college degree will make $1 million
more over his/her lifetime than someone without a college
education.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 19
• College opens the door to more pleasant working conditions.
Many of the jobs open to college graduates are in offices.
• People with college educations have been shown to live
happier healthier lives. In fact, studies have shown that
college graduates are healthier, live longer, are smarter
consumers and have more varied interests than those who
don’t go to college.
• College provides the satisfaction of personal growth. Your
child can explore new subjects, meet many different people
and participate in activities they might not otherwise
experience.
[Go over the Income Realities handout with parents.]
20 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 21
HANDOUT
Income realities
Chart 1
average annua l earnings
$80,000
$70,000
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
0
ANNUAL earnings
1975
2005
1975
2005
1975
2005
1975
2005
1975
2005
Less than
high
school
graduate
High
school
graduate
Some
college/
associate
degree
Bachelor’s
degree
Advanced
degree
Chart 2
lifetime earnings
$5 million
$4.5 million
$4 million
$3.5 million
$3 million
$2.5 million
$2 million
$1.5 million
$1 million
$.5 million
0
LIFETIME earnings
Less than
high
school
grad
High
school
grad
Some
college
Associate
Bachelor’s
Master’s
Doctorate
Professional
22 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 23
Section 2
Myth vs. reality of preparing
and planning for college
Goal
To dispel some of the common myths about going to college.
Materials needed
• Your Child’s Reality worksheet
Discuss
Share the following with the participants. After you read each
Myth and Reality, ask the participants if they have any questions
or ­comments.
At the end, ask if they can add any myths to the
list. Encourage other participants to answer the myths.
• Myth 1
My child is only in elementary or junior high school. I don’t
have to think about college until they are in high school.
• Rea lity 1
It is never too early to prepare for college. For example,
developing reading and study habits while he/she is younger
will make the classes your child takes in high school to
prepare for college much easier. Also, your child can qualify
for some financial aid programs as early as the 8th grade
(more about this later). Finally, your child should start taking
the classes recommended for college readiness as early as
the 9th grade.
• Myth 2
We don’t have much money and can’t save enough to send
our child to college.
• REALITY 2
Saving even a few dollars a week when your child is in
elementary school can add up over time to help cover the
cost of college. There are also many financial aid programs
available to help families pay for college. [Tell them you will
discuss this with them in more detail in another section.]
24 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Myth 3
The papers to fill out to go to college are too hard to
understand. I could never fill them out by myself.
• Rea lity 3
Help in filling out paperwork is available from many areas.
Check with your child’s school counselor, the admissions
office at the college you are interested in attending.
• Myth 4
My child is good at sports and will get an athletic scholarship
to go to college.
• Rea lity 4
Only a small number of athletic scholarships are available
each year. Even if your child is one of the talented few who
obtain one, he or she is still going to need good grades to
stay eligible to play. Do not depend on getting an athletic
scholarship as the only way for your child to go to
college.
• Myth 5
My child is good at sports and will not need college because
he/she will become a professional athlete.
• Rea lity 5
Many students believe they can become a professional
basketball, football or baseball player, and college is not
something they should pursue. It is understandable to want
to get a college scholarship for being a great athlete, but
students must understand the reality of that dream.
There are nearly one million high school football players
and about 550,000 high school basketball players. Of that
number, about 250 make it to the NFL and about 50-60 to the
NBA.
Each year there about 4,700 NCAA Division I male athletes
vying for those 60 spots with an NBA team.
Less than 3 percent of college seniors will play one year in
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 25
professional basketball.
The odds of a high school football player making it to the
pros at all, let alone having a career, are 6,000 to 1; the odds
of a high school basketball player are 10,000 to 1. Think
about those numbers and decide what will matter in the long
run – dreaming of a shot at the pros or concentrating on a
college education.
Activities for parents
• Complete the worksheet, Your Child’s Reality.
26 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 27
WORKSHEET
Your child’s reality
Write the reality of your child preparing for and
attending college today. (Example: My child does not do well
in English.)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Write the college prep reality you would like for your
child. (Example: I would like my child to study harder in
English so that he or she may excel in English.)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Write the reality you would like for your child in the
future after he or she has attended college. (Example: My
child has finished college and is now earning a good living as a
high school English teacher.)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
28 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 29
Section 3
Terminology
Goal
To help participants become familiar with some of the words
used in academic settings.
Materials needed
• Glossary (Make sure you have enough copies for everyone in
your workshop and that you have read over the list and are
familiar with all the terms.)
Getting started
Pass out copies of the glossary. A master copy for you to
reproduce has been provided on the following pages of this tool
kit. Tell them the glossary is also available online at:
www.okhighered.org/student-center/online-resources/glossary.shtml
or www.OKcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid/Glossary_of_Acronyms_and_Terms.aspx.
Discuss
Like all professions, education has certain terms it uses that you
may or may not be familiar with. We have put together a list
of these words to help you in planning and preparing for your
child’s college education.
This list is some of the more common words you will need to
know while preparing for your child for college. For example:
• Concurrent enrollment: This is a program that allows
eligible high school students (juniors and seniors) to take
credit-earning college courses. This means they can earn
college credit by taking certain classes in high school.
• Credit hour: Credit given for attending one lecture hour of
class each week for 15 weeks or equivalent. Most college
classes are three credit hours, meaning their total meeting
time for a week is three hours. To calculate the cost for one
course, multiply the number of credit hours the class is worth
by the total tuition and mandatory fees per credit hour.
Have them look over the list and ask questions about any term
they do not understand.
30 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 31
College glossary
Academic advisor: The person at a college or university
who helps students decide what classes to take, what major
to pursue, etc. An advisor is similar to a high school guidance
counselor.
Admission requirements: Students wanting to attend an
Oklahoma college or university must meet certain requirements,
such as achieving a specified ACT or SAT score or combination
of high school grade point average and rank in class, taking
specified high school courses, etc. to be considered for
admission.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses: Courses that allow
students to take college-level course work in high school. Many
Oklahoma colleges and universities award college credit to
students who successfully complete these courses and pass the
corresponding AP exams.
Associate degree: Degree given upon completion of two years
of full-time study or the equivalent. Most associate degrees
are awarded by two-year colleges, although some four-year
universities also offer associate degrees. Some associate
degrees transfer to four-year universities; others are for career
preparation.
Bachelor’s degree: Degree given upon completion of four
years of full-time study or the equivalent.
Class rank: Ranking of a student within a high school
graduating class based upon his or her high school grade point
average.
College: A higher education institution that generally offers
associate, or two-year, degrees but does not offer bachelor’s or
graduate level programs.
College catalog: A booklet published by an individual college
or university that contains detailed descriptions of course and
degree offerings, fees, academic policies and requirements for
graduation.
32 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Community College: Also known as a “two-year college,” a
community college grants associate degrees for transfer to four-year
institutions or for career preparation. Community colleges
usually offer flexible class schedules with smaller class sizes.
They are known as open door institutions because performance
standards (standardized test scores or combination of class rank
and grade point average) are not required for admission.
Commuter college: A college at which students live off
campus and travel to campus for classes.
Comprehensive university: See research university.
Concurrent enrollment: A program that allows eligible high
school students (juniors and seniors) to take credit-earning
college courses.
Credit hour: Credit given for attending one lecture hour of
class each week for 15 weeks or equivalent. Most college
classes are three credit hours, meaning their total meeting
time for a week is three hours. To calculate tuition, multiply
the number of credit hours for each class (three) by the cost of
tuition per credit hour.
Full-time student: An undergraduate student enrolled in
at least 12 credit hours or a graduate student enrolled in at
least nine credit hours, or the equivalent, in one semester or
academic term.
Graduate student: A student working toward a master’s or
doctoral degree.
High school grade point average (GPA): Average of all
grades earned in the 9th through 12th grades.
Higher education center: Institution with flexible admission
standards that provides higher education opportunities to
citizens in the areas surrounding the centers. The center works
with various colleges and universities to provide undergraduate
and graduate courses, and students can earn an associate,
bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Independent (private) colleges and universities:
Accredited colleges and universities that offer associate,
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 33
bachelor’s and/or graduate degrees in traditional subject areas.
Private colleges and universities are not supported by state
taxes and are not for profit. They receive the bulk of their
revenues from tuition, donations and grants.
Major: An academic subject area, such as economics or
geology, in which students take many courses and choose to
earn a degree.
Minor: An area of interest studied at the same time as a major.
It requires fewer courses than a major.
Part-time student: A student who is enrolled in a certain
number of course credits or hours which are less than full-time.
For an undergraduate student, this is usually less than 12
credits or hours. For a graduate student, it is usually less than
nine credits or hours.
Prerequisite: A course which a student must take before he or
she can enroll in another (usually more challenging) course.
Regional university: A university that offers bachelor’s
and master’s degrees, and in some instances, associate and
professional degrees. While regional universities focus primarily
on instruction, they are also responsible for extension and
public service, as well as some research. They tend to have
mid-sized student populations and campuses.
Research university: Also known as a “comprehensive
university,” a university that grants bachelor’s, graduate and
professional degrees and offers a wide variety of courses and
degree programs. Along with instruction, research institutions
also focus on research, extension and public service. Research
universities usually have large student bodies and expansive
campuses.
Residential college: A college at which students may live on
campus in dormitories or apartments.
Semester: Calendar system used by colleges and universities.
Classes and grade reports are divided into two periods in the
spring and fall, each lasting about 16 weeks, and one period in
the summer, usually lasting eight weeks.
34 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Standardized test (ACT or SAT): Test used by colleges and
universities to evaluate applicants’ academic skills and abilities.
The standardized tests most widely used by colleges and
universities are the ACT and SAT. Oklahoma state colleges and
universities rely primarily on the ACT.
State (public) colleges and universities: Colleges and universities
that receive funding from state taxes to pay part of operating
costs.
Subject area test: Standardized tests given by ACT in math,
science, reading and English. Public colleges and universities
look at these test scores when helping students enroll in
courses.
Technical branch: Institution that has a special emphasis
on education and training in technical fields. Some technical
branches offer academic courses and programs, but not all
institutions offer two-year programs that lead to an associate
degree.
Trimester: Calendar system used primarily by the state’s
technical branches. Classes and grade reports are divided into
three periods, each lasting about 10 weeks.
Tuition: Payment that students make to cover costs of their
classes at state and private colleges and universities. Other fees
may be also required.
Two-year college: An institution that grants associate degrees
for transfer to four-year institutions or for career preparation.
Two-year colleges usually offer flexible class schedules with
smaller class sizes. They are known as open door institutions
because performance standards (standardized test scores or
combination of class rank and grade point average) are not
required for admission.
Undergraduate student: A student working toward an
associate or a bachelor’s degree or a certificate.
University: A higher education institution that usually offers
four-year degrees, as well as degrees beyond the baccalaureate
level (graduate and professional degrees). They may also offer
associate degrees.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 35
Section 4
Differences in colleges
Goal
To point out the differences in two-year colleges and regional
and comprehensive universities.
Materials
• Different college recruiting materials from the different types
of colleges. You can download pages off the Internet or
contact admissions offices at the colleges close to you.
Web sites
• List of colleges in Oklahoma:
www.okhighered.org/student-center/college-univ
www.OKcollegestart.org/Explore_Colleges/_default.aspx
www.okcollegestart.org/Explore_Colleges/_default.aspx
Discuss
Use the college recruiting materials to show examples of the
differences in colleges.
There are two basic types of post-secondary education
institutions:
• Two-year: Community colleges and technical branches
• Four-year: Colleges and universities
Community Colleges and Technica l Branches
• Less than four years in length
• Usually takes two years to complete a degree program
Community colleges
• Grant associate degrees for transfer to four-year institutions
or for career preparation.
• Offer extensive night, and sometimes even weekend, class
­schedules
with smaller class sizes.
• Known as open-door institutions because, in most cases,
36 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
­admission
requirements are less stringent than four-year
colleges or universities.
• Cost to attend is usually less than any other type of college.
Ask participants to list community colleges they know of
or have experience with.
Examples: Tulsa Community College and Northern Oklahoma
­College
in Tonkawa
Technical branches
• Focus on education and training in technical fields.
• Some offer academic courses and programs, but not all offer
two-year programs that lead to an associate degree.
• Cost to attend varies due to type of program – for example,
lab fees for a degree in air conditioning and refrigeration
technology are probably more expensive than lab fees for a
degree in ­hospitality
services.
Ask participants to name the two technical colleges in
Oklahoma.
Examples: OSU Technical Branch - Okmulgee and OSU - Oklahoma City
College and uni versities
• At least four years in length
• Usually takes four years to complete a bachelor’s degree program
Regional universities
• Offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and sometimes
associate or professional degrees.
• Focus mainly on instruction.
• Also responsible for extension and public service and some
research.
• Have mid-sized student populations and campuses.
Ask participants to name some regional universities.
Examples: Northeastern State University in Tahlequah and
Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell
Comprehensive universities
• Grant bachelor’s, graduate and professional degrees.
• Offer a wide variety of courses and degree programs.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 37
• Also focus on research, extension and public service.
• Usually have many students and large campuses.
Ask participants to name the two comprehensive universities
in Oklahoma.
Examples: Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and the
University of Oklahoma in Norman
Independent or private colleges
• Accredited colleges and universities
• Offer associate, bachelor’s and/or graduate degrees in
­traditional
subject areas.
• Are not supported by state taxes and are not for profit.
• Receive the bulk of their revenues from tuition, donations and
grants.
Ask participants to list some of the independent colleges
and ­universities
they might know.
Examples: Oklahoma City University and The University of Tulsa
Ask participants to briefly discuss what college might be
best for their children to attend.
Encourage parents to explore college options by visiting the
Web sites listed at the beginning of this section or arranging
a visit through the admissions office at the college they are
interested in attending.
38 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 39
Section 5
Different avenues to pursue
to get to college
Goal
To explain alternative ways for students to obtain a college degree.
Web sites
Army www.goarmy.com
Navy www.navy.com/education
Air Force www.airforce.com
(Must register on the site to get information.)
Discuss
There are many advantages of attending college right after high school.
• College costs are usually less.
• Students are still in the “study” mode.
• Younger people usually have less responsibility and have
more time to study.
However … not everyone who earns a college degree goes
straight from high school to college, but everyone who wants
a college degree can get one. The advantages of attending
college at a later stage in life are:
• Better knowledge of what is desired from a college degree
– better job, etc.
• More focused as an adult
• Some employers will pay for college if it is related to job
­responsibilities
Here are some non-traditional ways of earning a college degree.
• Attend college part-time
Some students will begin working right after high school and
attend college part-time by taking a few classes during the day or
at night. It takes longer to earn a degree this way, but if it is the
only way to get a college education, the time invested is worth it.
40 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Military service
Some students will enter military service right after high
school to help earn money to pay for college. They will either
enlist with the regular service or sign up with a National
Guard unit. Both ways can provide students with funds to use
for college after their term of enlistment is finished or while
they serve in the Guard. Students should check with their
local recruiter to find out what opportunities are available.
Also, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
and participating Oklahoma State System institutions have
signed an Advanced Standing Agreement with the U.S. Navy
to award college credit for specific technical education and
training courses, and job experience successfully completed
while serving in the U.S. Navy.
• Career technology centers
High school and adult students at participating technology
centers can earn college credit from state colleges and
universities through Cooperative Alliance Agreements. The
benefits of pursuing a degree through an alliance agreement
include:
¡ Students can begin working on a degree while still in high
school.
¡ College credit is awarded immediately upon successful
completion of the course.
¡ Admissible students may enroll in any state college or
university and transfer courses depending on the degree
program.*
* The receiving college or university has the authority to determine the
eligibility of those courses as applied toward the desired degree plan.
Additional activities
If some of your participants have a college degree, ask them
share the path they took to college.
If some participants do not have a college degree, ask if any of
these paths might work for them now.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 41
Section 6
Helping your child
with career exploration
Goal
To provide resources to help students look at different careers.
Materials needed
• What’s that degree worth? handout
• Salary comparison handout
Web sites
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/parents/pa_section-2.shtml
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Career_Center/_default.aspx
• okcrn.org/parent_ge
• www.acrnetwork.org/parents/p_career.htm
Discuss
Why explore careers?
• One of the MAIN reasons students drop out of college is that
they do not know what they want to do for a career.
• It allows students to make better choices about their ­futures.
The more knowledge they have about what a job is really like
and what education is needed, the easier it will be to choose
a job that will fit their personality, interests and abilities.
When should they begin looking at different jobs?
Experts recommend students begin in middle school to gather
information on different jobs they may want to do.
Isn’t that too early? What if they change their minds?
Career exploration is a process. This means that it takes most
students a long time to decide what they want to do. Most will
change their minds many times before finding the right career.
42 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
How do they go about it?
There are two main ways to find out about careers.
One is to gather all the information they can find on careers
they may be interested in. They can check out books from the
library or do searches on the Internet. OKcollegestart.org helps
students identify and prepare for careers that suit their skills,
values, interests and personality types.
Other information they will want to find out includes:
• What type of education will I need to work in this job?
• Where do I get the education or training?
• Will this job be needed in the future?
• How can I advance in this job?
• What are some of the day-to-day jobs I will have to do?
• How much will I make doing this work?
Another way to find out about a particular career is to actually
do work in a job they are interested in. Some examples:
• They can volunteer with groups doing the type of work they
are ­interested
in.
• They can work at part-time jobs in the area.
• They can “shadow” or follow someone around who does the
type of work they think they might want to do.
• They might be able to do an internship in the area. This
means they will work in the area usually without pay, but
they may be able to get school credit for it.
• They may be able to take a vocational class in high school in
the area they are interested in.
Talk with the school counselor about career search ­opportunities
available at your child’s school.
Talk with your child about his or her career aspirations. Work
with your child on career exploration and encourage his or her
dreams.
Activities for parents
• Have the parents organize a job shadowing exercise for the
young people of your organization.
• Have parents talk to young people in your organization about
different career opportunities.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 43
HANDOUT
What’s that degree worth?
Degree area Average starting
salary
Change from
the year before
Chemical engineering $54,256 +4.3%
Electrical engineering $52,009 +2.5%
Computer engineering $51,496 -2.0%
Computer science $51,292 +2.6%
Mechanical engineering $51,046 +4.1%
Aerospace engineering $50,701 +9.0%
Industrial engineering $49,541 +1.8%
Accounting $43,809 +3.9%
Information sciences $43,732 -0.8%
Civil engineering $43,462 +4.0%
Economics/finance $42,802 +5.1%
Business administration $39,448 +3.2%
Marketing $37,832 +6.0%
Liberal arts $30,337 +4.2%
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers
44 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 45
HANDOUT
Salary comparisons
Associate or
Bachelor’s
Hourly
Wage
Accountant $21.05
Computer
programmer $25.91
Architect $24.80
Zoologist & wildlife
biologist $21.85
Forensic science
technician $17.88
Film & video editor $16.24
Pharmacist $32.81
Physical therapist $27.89
Education, training &
library occupation $15.00
Registered nurse $20.49
Moderate On-the-
Job Experience
Hourly
Wage
Bank teller $9.07
Data entry keyer $10.10
Landscaping &
groundskeeper worker $8.82
Veterinary assistant $8.23
Security guard $9.89
Camera operator $10.99
Pharmacy
technician $9.80
Physical therapist
aide $9.21
Child care worker $6.90
Nursing aide $8.13
Source: Oklahoma Employment Outlook 2012
46 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 47
Section 7
Why your child should
make good grades and
take the right classes
Goal
To explain the grades, classes and tests needed to go to
college.
Materials needed
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
Web sites
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/jrhigh-highscl/courses.shtml
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/jrhigh-highscl/grades.shtml
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Plan_for_College/High_School_Planner/High_School_Planner.aspx
• www.act.org
• www.collegeboard.com
Discuss
To attend an Oklahoma state college or university, your child
must take certain classes in high school and take the ACT exam.
Please open the GEAR UP Guide for parents. Find the
“Courses to Take” section. This is a list of the classes all
students must take to be able to go to a state college.
These classes will not only help your child prepare for college,
but also give him or her a valuable knowledge base for entering
the job market after high school.
Look under the “Other” section. They will need three units
from this section. These can be from any of the units listed
previously or computer science or foreign language.
48 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
There are also some additional suggestions, but not
requirements, including an additional unit in math and an
additional unit in laboratory science, plus two additional units in
speech or music, art or drama.
If you look [hold up guide and point] at the “Grades To
Make” section, you will notice the grade point average
your child must have to attend a state ­college
or
university.
Please note that to attend either Oklahoma State University or
the University of Oklahoma, a student must have a 3.0 GPA.
Also note the scores a student has to have on the ACT or the
SAT.
For the regional universities such as Northeastern,
Southwestern or Central Oklahoma, a student must have a 2.7
GPA and rank in the top 50 percent of his or her class.
Also note that to attend a community college, students do not
need to make certain scores, but they should take the required
high school classes, graduate from an accredited high school
and take the ACT exam.
It is not unusual for students to start at either a community
college or a regional university and later transfer to OU or OSU
after ­obtaining
an associate degree.
The final score on college entrance exams
College entrance exams
Admissions or college entrance exams are necessary to enter
almost any U.S. college or university. These tests are important
because, when combined with high school grades, they are
used as a predictor of success during that first year of college.
The college entrance exams most used are the ACT and the
SAT. Oklahoma uses the ACT for college entrance.
ACT
The ACT assessment is a standardized college entrance
examination that measures knowledge and skills in English,
mathematics, reading and science reasoning. Students take the
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 49
ACT assessment, a 175-minute exam, in four parts: English (75
questions), mathematics (60 questions), reading comprehension
(40 questions) and science reasoning (40 questions). Each
section is scored from 1 to 36 and scaled for slight variations in
difficulty. Scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the
number of questions answered correctly. There is no penalty for
guessing. The composite score is the average of the four scaled
scores.
SAT
The SAT assessment is a standardized college entrance
examination that is used most predominantly by colleges and
universities along the East and West coasts.
SAT Reasoning test ™
The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking
skills needed for academic success in college. The SAT
Reasoning Test assesses how well students analyze and solve
problems. It consists of 70 minutes (two 25-minute sections
and one 20-minute section) of critical reading questions; 70
minutes (two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section) of
math problems; and a 60-minute writing section, which includes
multiple choice questions and a short essay. In addition, there
is one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or
equating section.
SAT sub ject tests ™ (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests)
Subject Tests are required by some institutions for admission
and/or placement in freshman courses. SAT Subject Tests
are one-hour, multiple-choice tests that measure how much
students know about a particular academic subject and how
well they can apply that knowledge. Subject Tests fall into
five subject areas: English, history, mathematics, sciences,
and languages. They help colleges compare the academic
achievement of students from different schools where course
preparation and academic backgrounds may vary widely.
PSAT/NMSQT
(Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT
50 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Reasoning Test. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit
Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs. The PSAT/
NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving
skills and writing skills. The most common reasons for taking
the PSAT/NMSQT are to receive feedback on your strengths and
weaknesses on skills necessary for college study; to see how
your performance on an admissions test might compare with
that of others applying to college; to enter the competition for
scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
(grade 11 ); and to help prepare for the SAT.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 51
Section 8
Questions to ask during
parent/teacher meetings
Goal
To help parents be prepared for parent/teacher meetings.
Materials needed
• Parent/Teacher Meetings worksheet
• Parent Checklist (at back of book)
Discuss
Meetings between parents and teachers are very important for
the success of your child in school. If your child’s teachers do
not have regularly scheduled meetings, you should ask for one
at any time you think it is necessary. If your child is in middle
or high school, they will have different teachers for different
classes. Make sure you know who your child’s teachers are and
how to contact them. Remember, you and the teacher have your
child’s best interests at heart.
Before meeting with the teacher, talk with your child to
find out what they like about school, what they dislike
or would like changed. How does your child feel about the
teacher, the class?
Write down things you think the teacher should know, such as:
• Any unusual stress at home
• How your child gets along with others in the home
• What your child likes to do in his/her free time
• Any organized activities in which your child participates, such
as scouts, sports, music, etc.
• Previous school experiences
52 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Questions for the teacher:
• How much homework will you be giving? How should I help?
• How are grades decided?
• What is the classroom discipline policy?
• What kind of tests are given? What do they mean?
• How is my child doing in reading, math or other subjects?
• How does my child get along with others in the class?
• What does my child like to do? Not like to do?
• Does my child seem happy?
• Are there any problems?
• What happens to homework after it is handed in?
• Is there anything we can do at home to help with my child’s
progress?
Be sure to take notes so you can remember what was
said. Then be sure to discuss with your child how the session
went. Remember to praise as well as correct when you talk with
your child.
Activity for parents
Be sure to check out the Parent Checklist. Review the grade
level that your child is in and create additional questions for the
teacher based on this information.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 53
WORKSHEET
Parent/teacher meeting
Teacher’s name:________________________________________
Class/subject taught:____________________________________
Time, date, place of meeting:_____________________________
Before the meeting
Note how your child feels about the teacher, the class:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Write down things you think the teacher should know, such as:
• Any unusual stress at home
• Your child’s relationships with others at home
• What your child likes to do in their free time
• Any organized activities in which your child participates, such
as scouts, sports, music, etc.
• Previous school experiences
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Questions for the teacher
• How much homework will you be assigning? How should I
help?
• How are grades decided?
54 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• What is the classroom discipline policy?
• What kind of tests are given? What do they mean?
• How is my child doing in reading, math or other subjects?
• How does my child get along with others in the class?
• What does my child like to do? Not like to do?
• Does my child seem happy?
• Are there any problems?
• What happens to homework after it is handed in?
• Is there anything we can do at home to help with my child’s
progress?
Additional questions to ask the teacher
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 55
Section 9
How to work with
the school counselor
Goal
To help parents feel comfortable with the guidance counselor
and to know what questions to ask.
Materials needed
• Counselor worksheet
• Parent Checklist (at the end of this book)
Discuss
High school guidance counselors know what it takes to help
your child get ready for college. They have a large role in the
college selection process, and their duties include helping your
child pick a college, reminding them of testing requirements and
deadlines, and writing letters of recommendation. It’s important
for a parent to establish and maintain a relationship with your
child’s counselor.
Together, you and the guidance counselor can provide the
support to help your child find colleges that are a good match.
Questions to ask guidance counselors
• Does the school offer ACT prep or SAT prep courses?
• How many years of each academic subject does the high
school require for graduation?
• What elective courses do you recommend for college-bound
students?
• Can students who are considering college get special help or
tutoring?
• What activities can students do after school and over the
summer to better prepare them for college?
• How much homework is expected of students preparing for
college?
56 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• What do out-of-state colleges require in terms of high school
grades and SAT or ACT scores?
• Are there any special scholarships or awards that we should
know about now, so we can work toward them?
The guidance counselor should be knowledgeable on available
financial aid, which we will talk about next.
Ask parents if they have worked with their child’s
guidance counselor yet.
How did it go?
Did they feel the guidance counselor was helpful?
Can anyone else here think of other questions they may
want to ask a guidance counselor?
Activity for parents
Be sure to check out the Parent Checklist. Review the grade
level that your child is in and create additional questions for the
counselor based on this information.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 57
WORKSHEET
Working with your counselor
Counselor’s name:______________________________________
Time, date, place of meeting:_____________________________
Questions for the guidance counselors
• Does the school offer ACT prep or SAT prep courses?
• How many years of each academic subject does the high
school require for graduation?
• What elective courses do you recommend for college-bound
students?
• Can students who are considering college get special help or
tutoring?
• What activities can students do after school and over the
summer to better prepare for college?
• How much homework is expected of students preparing for
college?
• What do out-of-state colleges require in terms of high school
grades and SAT or ACT scores?
• Are there any special scholarships or awards that we should
know about now, so that we can work toward them?
58 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Additional questions for counselors
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Counselor concerns
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 59
Section 10
Differences in financial aid
Goal
To make parents aware of the different types of financial aid.
Materials needed
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 8th – 10th grade
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 11th – 12th grade
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
• Funding Your Education brochure
• Oklahoma’s Promise 8th – 10th grade flyer
Web site
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/financial-aid
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Plan_for_College/High_School_Planner/High_School_Planner.aspx
Discuss
There are several types of financial aid, including scholarships,
loans, grants and work study. The high school counselor also
has information on the different types of financial aid available.
Most colleges and universities have entire offices devoted to
financial aid services. Contact the college or university your
child is interested in attending for more information on financial
aid.
Scho larships
A gift of money (that does not have to be repaid) given to
recognize student achievement, skills and talent. A scholarship
may be based partly on financial need. Scholarships can come
from private companies, charitable foundations, religious
organizations or civic groups.
Loans
The federal government has several different types of loan
programs for college students and their parents. These loans
must be paid back. They include:
60 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Federal Direct Loans made by the federal government
directly to students and parents through colleges.
• Federal Perkins Loan Program funded by the federal
government and awarded by the college or university. These
loans have low interest rates and are repayable over a long
period of time.
• Federal PLUS Program provides low interest federal loans
to credit-approved parents of eligible undergraduate students.
Repayment begins 60 days after loan funds are paid. These
loans are available from banks, lending institutions and
participating direct lending schools.
• Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan Program provides
low-interest federal loans to eligible students through banks,
lending institutions and participating direct loans schools.
It is based on need, and the interest is paid by the federal
government for qualifying students while they are enrolled
at least half-time. Repayment begins after the student leaves
school.
• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program provides
low interest federal loans that are not based on need, and
the student must pay the interest while in school. Repayment
begins after the student leaves school.
Grants
Financial aid that does not need to be paid back, usually
awarded based on need, but can be awarded for good grades,
special skills, talent, heritage or other criteria. An example is
the Federal Pell Grant which is based on need and may be
used for tuition, room and board, books, or other educational
costs and requires no repayment.
Work Study
A federal government-supported program coordinated through
campus financial aid offices that provides jobs for students
with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay
education expenses. The program encourages community
service work and work related to each student’s course of study.
Ask participants to share any experience they might
have had in applying for financial aid.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 61
Section 11
How to search and apply
for financial aid
Goal
To help parents understand how to search and apply for financial aid.
Materials needed
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application
• Easy as ... 1 2 3, FAFSA online brochure
• Are You Looking for Money for College? brochure
• Oklahoma’s Promise 8th – 10th grade flyer
• Oklahoma’s Promise application
• OSRHE Grant and Scholarship Programs booklet
• The Search for Financial Aid handout
Web sites
• www.fafsa.ed.gov
• www.pin.ed.gov
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/financial-aid
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid/_default.aspx
• www.okpromise.org
Discuss
State grants and scho larships
The state of Oklahoma has several scholarships programs
to help pay for college. The most important for us today is
Oklahoma’s Promise. [Hold up flyer.]
This is a program for students in the 8th, 9th and 10th grades
that will help pay for their college education if the family’s
annual income is $50,000 or less.
[Hand out Oklahoma’s Promise applications.]
[If you have time, go through and fill out the Oklahoma’s
Promise application as a group. Parents will need income tax
information to complete the form, so they may have to finish
the form at home.]
62 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Tell the parents to fill out and return the application to the
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 655 Research
Parkway, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, if their family
is eligible. Also, they can fill out an application online at
www.okpromise.org.
More information can be found out about state scholarship
programs in the State Regents Grant and Scholarship
Programs booklet [hold up booklet].
Federa l Financia l Aid
The federal government has made it easy to apply for
federal financial aid. By filling out one application – the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA – you can
apply for grants, loans or work study. This application must
be filled out during the student’s senior year and requires
information from the parents’ income tax forms.
You can apply by filling out the paper application, of which you have
a copy [hold up application], or you can apply online by
­following
the steps in this brochure [hold up copy of Easy as …
1 2 3.]
[You may want to fill out the FAFSA as a group at this time.
The FAFSA requires income tax information, so the parents may
have to finish the form at home.]
If you need help in filling out the application ask the school
guidance counselor if help is available from the school or
contact the institution your child is interested in attending.
Many colleges and universities have evening or weekend
sessions just to help parents fill out these forms. Go ahead and
fill out the FAFSA even if you think your child may not qualify.
Many scholarship applications require a FAFSA be filed before
they will consider an applicant for a scholarship award.
Remember, you cannot get federal financial aid without
filling out the FAFSA.
More information on financial aid is available in your parents’
guides. [Hold up and open to the Getting Financial Aid
section.]
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 63
• Log on to OKcollegestart.org and conduct an online
scholarship search that reflects your specific interests and
abilities.
• Check for scholarships sponsored by local
organizations such as your religious organization, your
place of employment, and civic and community clubs such as
the American Legion, YMCA, 4-H Club, Elks, Lions, Masons,
Kiwanis, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, and the Girl or Boy
Scouts.
• Talk with the high school counselor about local and/or
college and university sources of financial aid.
• Contact the admissions or financial aid offices at the
schools you are interested in attending. A listing of
financial aid offices in Oklahoma colleges and universities can
be found at www.okhighered.org under the Student Center or
www.OKcollegestart.org.
Activities for parents
Writing a Leter Requesting
Information on Financia l Aid
Letters sent to colleges requesting information on available
financial aid can be kept short and simple. They should include
the types of financial aid you are requesting and what the
student’s major area of study will be, if known. A sample
letter is included at the end of this section.
Many times information on financial aid can be requested by
telephone or by e-mail from the college. They usually have
packets ready to be mailed.
Either way, make your request as early as possible. Go over
the Search for Financial Aid handout with your child before you
begin your search.
64 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 65
Sample letter
Date (insert date)
Name of College
Financial Aid Office
Address of College
City, State, Zip
Dear (name of financial aid officer):
My (son/daughter) is a senior at (name of high school) and
will be attending (name of college) beginning (date) and
majoring in (major area).
Please send me any information on available financial aid
including grants, loans and scholarships. You may send the
information to (your name and address).
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(your name and signature)
This sample shows how to write a letter requesting information
on financial aid.
66 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 67
HANDOUT
The search for financial aid
• Call the financial aid office and check the Web site of the college
or university your child is interested in attending. Check possible
scholarships or grants and what your child should do to apply. Put
the deadline date on your calendar!
• Visit www.OKcollegestart.org, www.okhighered.org or call the Student
Information hotline at 1.800.858.1840 for scholarship information.
There is no charge for this service. Some private companies
charge a fee for this same service and information. Remember, it is
available at no charge from the State Regents.
• Apply for local scholarships.
• Network. Tell everyone (including the high school counselor)
that you are looking for scholarships. Check for scholarship
opportunities with your place of employment, your religious
organization, any organization to which you belong, etc. Also look
for scholarship opportunities in your local newspaper.
• Use books and computer programs with scholarship information. If
at all possible, utilize the Internet. Your high school guidance office
and/or the library will have books that list numerous scholarship
opportunities.
• When searching for scholarships, beware of “scholarship
scams.” Only use services that are FREE. Do not give
anyone your personal information. If you are willing to do the
work, you can find the same information yourself.
• Remember, applying for scholarships can be frustrating. You may
not get a response when you write to an address taken from a
scholarship book or computer search. If you do get a response, you
may find that the deadline has passed or that there is no longer
funding for the scholarship. Apply for more than one.
• Buy a calendar. Mark it with grant and scholarship due
dates and deadlines.
• Stay organized! Make copies of everything!
• Exhaust all avenues for scholarships and grants before applying for
loans. Also, remember that many students who are not able to get
scholarships often are able to get need-based financial aid.
• Plan early so you don’t panic!
68 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Don’t make these mistakes!
• Hurrying through the application process – Take your time.
Be sure your application forms are complete and accurate before
submitting them.
• Not being able to trace your mailings – Be sure to send all
financial aid applications and related correspondence by certified
mail.
• Underestimating or overestimating financial aid eligibility
– If possible, apply to a school that your child would like to attend
but would need financial aid. After talking with the financial aid
office, you may be surprised to find you are able to send your child
to a more expensive school. If a satisfactory financial aid package
cannot be arranged, be sure that your child has also applied to
a school where he or she meets the admission requirements and
where you can afford to send him/her without or with little financial
aid assistance.
• Taking the first financial aid package offered – Compare
financial aid packages at similar schools and determine the best
financial aid package for your child. Don’t take the first deal that
you are offered if it does not meet your needs. Ask schools if they
can “beat the other schools’ deals.” Be assertive and patient.
• Selecting colleges on the basis of their “sticker” price
– ­Because
of the way financial aid is packaged (expected family
contribution stays constant, no matter how much a school costs),
it may not cost a student any more to attend an expensive college
than a lower-priced school.
• Taking out a personal loan or charging to a credit card
– More attractive financial arrangements may be available from
the federal government, commercial organizations, or the schools
themselves. Both the Perkins and the subsidized Stafford Loans
charge no interest or principal repayment until after the student
graduates, leaves school, or attends on less than a half-time basis
(home equity loans and credit card companies charge interest
immediately).
• Being too quick to accept a college’s offer for aid – Be
careful never to miss a deadline, but don’t respond before the
deadline. Keep your options open. You may be able to use other
offers to get a better deal at the school you want to attend.
• Starting too late to look for aid – It’s never too early to start,
but it can be too late. Ideally, by the time students are in the 10th
or 11 th grades, parents and students should have already begun
the process.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 69
Section 12
College costs and
saving for college
Goal
To illustrate the current costs of a college education and help
parents understand the need and benefit of saving money for
their child’s college education.
Materials needed
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 8th – 10th grade
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 11th – 12th grade
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
• Oklahoma College Savings Plan brochure
• Estimated costs for students at Oklahoma public colleges and
universities handout
Web sites
• www.ok4savings.org
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/college-cost/estimated.shtml
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid/College_Cost/How_Much_Does_College_Cost_.aspx
Discuss
College Costs
College expenses vary, depending on the type of college or
university, the number of courses a student takes, a student’s
major, and his or her personal lifestyle. However, a significant
expense for most college students is the cost of classes.
Students pay tuition to cover costs such as professors’ salaries,
classroom and laboratory equipment, classroom maintenance
and utility costs. Tuition at Oklahoma state colleges and
universities is considerably lower than average tuition at similar
institutions in other states.
70 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Students also pay special fees in addition to tuition. Special
fees include library fees, computer use fees, student activity
fees and assessment fees. Some academic courses also charge
fees for the use of equipment and facilities, private instruction,
remedial ­instruction
and testing/clinical services. Private
colleges and universities (not tax supported, nonprofit) are
generally more expensive than state colleges and universities,
so check with the institution you wish to attend for an estimate
of costs.
[Ask parents to look over the college costs handout. Remind
them that while these costs may seem overwhelming, they
should remember all the financial aid opportunities discussed
earlier. Urge parents to not let the cost of college discourage
them. There is a financial aid program for just about everyone’s
needs.]
When to Start Saving
The time to start saving is when a child is born, but it is never
too late. The sooner you start saving, the more compound
interest will build up, creating a sizable college fund for your
child.
If you save $10 a week at 4 percent interest for 17 years, you’ll
save nearly $13,000.
If a family waits to begin saving for college when the child is in
the 9th grade, they’ll need to save $56.12 a week in order to
reach the same goal.
If the family puts off saving until the child is a high school
senior, they’ll have to save $238.60 a week to reach the same
goal.
Oklahoma College Savings Plan
The Oklahoma College Savings Plan provides families with a
smart, flexible way to save for their children’s future. The savings
plan offers a choice of investment options, tax advantages
and the flexibility of using the savings at any qualified higher
education institution both in the United States and abroad.
This plan allows anyone to open a special savings account for a
child’s future college expenses. The money can be used at nearly
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 71
all colleges and universities in the United States. Other benefits of
the plan include:
• No income limits – parents, grandparents, relatives and
friends at any income level may open an account and
contribute to the savings plan on behalf of a student.
• The savings may be used for tuition, books, supplies,
required fees, and certain room and board costs.
• The amount you contribute can be deducted from your ­Oklahoma
taxable income up to a maximum of $20,000 per account.
• There is no federal or state income tax on contributions to
the Oklahoma College Savings Plan.
• An account can be opened with as little as $100.
72 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 73
Expenses Research
Universities
Regional
Universities
Community
Colleges
Technical
Branches
Tuition $3,423.00 $2,825.56 $1,790.50 $2,332.50
Mandatory fees $2,126.10 $943.91 $688.27 $760.00
Academic service fees $670.47 $120.91 $65.72 $166.65
Room and board* $6,126.50 $4,189.20 $4,051.05 $5,020.00
Books and supplies $1,025.00 $947.91 $979.90 $1,336.21
TOTAL $13,371.07 $9,027.49 $7,575.44 $9,615.36
The estimated cost of attending Oklahoma colleges and universities
is calculated below for full-time resident undergraduate students
enrolled in 30 semester credit hours during the 2007-08 academic
year. Costs for room and board and books and supplies are based on
FY2008 estimated costs.
2007-08 Estimated costs for resident students
at Oklahoma pub lic co lleges and uni versities
HANDOUT
2007-08 estimated costs
for students at Oklahoma
public colleges and universities
The estimated cost of attending Oklahoma colleges and universities is
calculated below for full-time non-resident undergraduate students
enrolled in 30 semester credit hours during the 2007-08 academic
year. Costs for room and board and books and supplies are based on
FY2008 estimated costs.
Expenses Research
Universities
Regional
Universities
Community
Colleges
Technical
Branches
Tuition $12,692.25 $8,180.92 $5,276.03 $7,012.50
Mandatory fees $2,126.10 $943.91 $688.27 $760.00
Academic service fees $670.47 $120.91 $65.72 $166.65
Room and board $6,126.50 $4,189.20 $4,051.05 $5,020.00
Books and supplies $1,025.00 $947.91 $979.90 $1,336.21
TOTAL $22,640.32 $14,382.85 $11,060.97 $14,295.36
* Note: Room and board estimates are based on a student living in a
traditional dormitory with a roommate and participating in a 20-meal-per-week
plan. Many institutions offer a wide variety of room and board plans, and
costs may differ from average reported above.
74 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 75
Section 13
Planning for college –
A year-by-year guide
Goal
To present a calendar of steps to be taken from 5th grade to
senior year to prepare for college.
Materials needed
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 8th – 10th grade
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 11th – 12th grade
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
• Planning for College – A Year-by-Year Guide handout
• Parent Checklist (at the end of this book)
Web sites
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/jrhigh-highscl
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Plan_for_College/High_School_Planner/High_School_Planner.aspx
Discuss
Certain steps must be taken from 5th grade on to help students
prepare themselves to enter college. The following is a list of
those steps with which you can help your child.
Remind parents that students can create an online planner at
OKcollegestart.org if they are 13 years of age or older.
76 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 77
5th Grade
• Help your child develop good study habits and study hard.
• Start saving for college.
• Watch the GEAR UP programs, The Plan (for college) parts I
and II with your child.
• Have your child read and work the GEAR UP Student Activity Booklets.
6th Grade
• Have your child continue studying hard.
• Continue saving for college.
• Have someone who has gone to college talk to your child.
• Watch the GEAR UP programs, The Plan (for college) parts I
and II with your child.
• Have your child read and work the GEAR UP Student Activity
Booklets.
7th Grade
• Your child should keep studying hard.
• Continue saving money.
• Have your child start thinking about different jobs that
interest him or her.
• Watch the GEAR UP programs, The Plan (for college) parts I
and II with your child.
• Have your child read and work the GEAR UP Student Activity
Booklets.
8th grade
• Your child should keep studying.
• Keep saving money.
• Watch the GEARing UP for college DVD.
• Enroll in the Oklahoma’s Promise if your family earns $50,000
or less per year.
• Have your child take the Educational Planning and
Assessment System’s (EPAS) EXPLORE test to evaluate his or
HANDOUT
Planning for college –
A year-by-year guide
78 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
her skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning and
to help your child begin the process of career and educational
exploration.
• Decide with your child which high school or Advanced
Placement (AP) courses will better prepare him or her for
college. AP courses allow students to take college-level
courses while in high school. Once students complete the
course, they must pass an AP exam to receive college credit.
9th Grade
• Help your child study on.
• Save on.
• Sign your child up for Oklahoma’s Promise if you did not
apply during the 8th grade. Find out about college entrance
requirements.
• Start a plan for college by having your child take core courses
that prepare him or her for college-level course work. Meet
with your child’s counselor if needed.
• Suggest your child get involved in extracurricular activities
that help develop teamwork, leadership and commitment.
10th Grade
• Have your child study, study, study.
• Save, save, save.
• Last opportunity to enroll in Oklahoma’s Promise.
• Have your child take core courses required for college entry.
• Have your child take the EPAS PLAN test to evaluate his or
her skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning and
to help review progress toward educational and career goals.
• Investigate your child’s options of taking AP courses as well
as participating in concurrent enrollment, which allows juniors
and seniors to enroll in college courses if they meet certain
requirements.
• Have your child sign up for a practice exam to prepare for
the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
(PSAT/NMSQT), which will determine his or her eligibility for
a National Merit Scholarship.
• Make a list of reasons why you and your child like different
colleges and universities – compare degree programs,
location, cost, etc.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 79
11th Grade
• More studying for your child.
• More saving.
• Have your child take core courses required for college entry.
• Explore opportunities for your child to earn college credit
while in high school.
• Have your child take the PSAT/NMSQT and the ACT or SAT exams.
• Research with your child financial aid options and deadlines
for applying.
• Attend a college day/night event in your area with your child.
• Narrow the choice of colleges and universities your child
would like to attend and visit the campuses.
• Review the Senior Checklist with your child. (Your senior
should have one if he or she attended the Project FAITH
training.)
12th Grade
• Have we mentioned that your child should study?
• Have we mentioned saving?
• Have your child take core courses required for college entry.
• Have your child explore opportunities to earn college credit
while in high school.
• Have your child take the ACT or SAT several times to
improve his or her score. Colleges use these scores to make
admissions, guidance and placement decisions.
• Review the Senior Checklist with your child. (Your senior
should have one if he or she attended the Project FAITH
training.)
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) as soon as possible after Jan. 1.
• Attend a college day/night event in your area with your child.
• Research financial aid options and deadlines for applying.
• Help your child decide which college he or she would like to
attend and submit ­admission
and financial aid applications.
80 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 81
Section 14
How I can encourage
my child and talk to my teen
about going to college
Goal
To help parents understand how to work and talk with their
­children
about preparing for college.
Materials needed
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
Activities for parents
• Arrange a visit to a college campus for your family, then talk
to your child about the visit and what he/she enjoyed about
the visit.
• When your child makes improvements in a class or has a
good report card, praise him/her. You could say “with good
grades like this, you will do well in college or get accepted to
a college.”
• When you notice your child excelling in an area (art, math,
writing or technology), encourage him/her to pursue it as
a career. Explore careers in the field together. Talk about
colleges that offer degrees in the different fields.
• Find a young individual currently attending college to talk to
your child about college or to possibly be a mentor.
• Be a positive influence; encourage your child to excel. Be the
most positive influence in your child’s life.
• Offer your assistance as your teen is making decisions about
college. Help him/her design a plan to pay for college.
82 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Arrange a time with your teen to discuss college, interests
and future plans. Be encouraging.
• Discuss high school academic requirements and make a plan
to achieve them.
• Talk to your teen about setting goals and begin to set some
of those goals for them. Start with short-term goals, such as
making a good grade in a challenging class, and gradually
work up to long-term goals. If your child is participating in
Project FAITH, he or she should be bringing home a list of
goals that he or she has created. You and your child should
discuss the goals. Encourage your child to accomplish these
goals.
• Share your personal experience about going to college or
not going to college. Share the challenges, obstacles or
achievements. They may appreciate your perspective.
Several other activities are listed on the back panel of
the GEAR UP parents’ guides.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 83
HANDOUT
Goal-setting tips for parents
Goal setting activities are a great way for children to learn. The
learning process is continuous for everyone. Goal setting helps
you and your child focus on what is good and important to learn
for leading a happy and productive life.
Teaching your child how to live a goal-directed life will involve
lessons in planning ahead, seeking to achieve, outlining
thoughts in detail, self-discipline, character and motivation.
Why goals are important
• Goals give us direction and purpose.
• Goals eliminate or reduce set-backs.
• Goals provide great motivation and drive.
• Goal setters procrastinate less. They’re action-oriented.
• Goal setters also deal more efficiently with setbacks.
Note to instructor
Explain to parents that soon their child will bring home a list of
goals for the future. Ask parents to post the goals some place
where the family can see them. Encourage parents to talk to
their child about these goals.
Activities for teaching goal orientation
The value of hard work, goal setting and living a purposeful
life are great traits to teach your child, and you are the perfect
person to teach them.
The following is a collection of activities that you can use to
teach your children about goal setting. These activities can be
used all the time at home and at school.
• Goal of the day and goal of the week contests – select
a number of activities that can be completed within this
period of time.
84 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Yard work – A great set of activities for your child to learn
about goals can be found in and around the house or school.
• Cleaning the shed or garage – These are areas that
for most of us could use some cleaning and organizing.
Painting the floor, hanging shelves, cleaning tools and general
organization can create goal orientation.
• Housecleaning – A never-ending activity in which everyone
should participate. Think of the things your child can do from
vacuuming, doing laundry and cleaning attics. Make a list of
housecleaning goals.
• Money – Starting a savings and investment account.
• Community involvement – Introduce your child to a
charitable cause and encourage his/her investment of time
and sweat equity.
• Reading – Set a goal of reading one new book a week and
discussing it with your child.
• Words – Set a goal of learning a new word a day.
• Sports goals – Depending on which sport your child is
involved in have them set certain performance goals for the
coming season.
• School grades – Encourage your child to set goals for their
schoolwork.
• Recreational/fun pursuits – From skateboarding to piano
playing, performance improvement goals such as entering a
competition can be set and achieved.
• Cooking – This is wonderful for teaching your kids about
goal orientation. Create a theme and teach them about the
culture and history of the food you are preparing.
• Pet care goals – Set a series of goals for pet maintenance
that include walking, cleaning and playing.
• Purchases – Talk to your child about things they would like
to purchase, such as a bike or car, and create a series of
activities for them to earn money.
• Family goals – This could range from planning a family
vacation to their active involvement in home repairs.
• Friendship – Encourage your child to involve his or her
friends in creating a project that they can work on and enjoy
together. This will strengthen their relationship.
• College planning – Set goals for getting into a specific
college.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 85
• Computer skills – Have your child teach you about
operating a computer. This will certainly teach them about
the importance of having patience.
Have fun with the guidelines and suggested goal-setting
activities. Use them while making up some of your own as well.
86 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 87
HANDOUT
Parent checklist –
Preparing your child for college
There are thousands of scholarships available to students.
However, most of these scholarships have specific eligibility
criteria. For example, scholarship programs might require that a
student:
• Attend a particular college
• Graduate at the top of their high school senior class
• Have a certain ACT or SAT score
• Have excellent recommendations from teachers, principals or
community members
• Show great leadership skills or community service
• Choose a particular college major
• Overcome an obstacle or have a certain family background
• Belong to a particular ethnic or religious group
Here is a checklist for parents to help their child prepare
for college and to receive college scholarships.
Remind parents to visit OKcollegestart.org for timelines and
planners.
7th grade
Start early. Begin to plan for your child’s college during
his/her 7th-grade year.
• Parents with financial resources should begin a college
savings program if they have not already. Check out the
Oklahoma College Savings Plan. Parents who do not think
they will be able to help their child with college costs
should start researching financial aid opportunities now. Get
information about Oklahoma’s Promise.
• Begin focusing on general college planning, which includes
gathering financial aid and admissions information.
• Participate in planning for college activities offered at your
child’s school or in the community.
88 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Visit OKcollegestart.org to obtain information about college
preparation in high school. If you have questions, call
1.800.858.1840.
• Visit with your child’s counselor and teacher(s) to make sure
your child is on a college track.
• Make sure your child knows the importance of studying hard
and making good grades.
8th grade
Although the grades that your child earns during this
school year are not used in computing his or her GPA, they
often determine placement in the 9th-grade courses.
• Make sure your child takes the EXPLORE test offered through
the Oklahoma EPAS program. Ask your child’s teacher or
counselor if the school participates in the program.
• If you have not started a savings plan for your child start
looking at options now. Visit www.ok4savings.org for more
information.
• Have you enrolled your child in the Oklahoma’s Promise
program? Call the Student Information hotline for an application
��� 1.800.858.1840. Also, you can fill out an application online at
www.okpromise.org.
• Help your child develop solid academic skills now so that he/
she will be better prepared for high school.
• Scholarship committees like well-rounded students. Help your child
get more involved in activities at school and in the community.
9th grade
Monitor your child’s academic progress closely. Don’t assume
that someone will contact you if there is a problem.
Make sure your child is enrolled in college preparatory
classes.
• Encourage your child to be involved in a variety of activities at
school and/or in the community to help develop leadership skills.
• Keep a list of your child’s school activities, honors, awards,
leadership opportunities, employment, volunteer work,
community activities, etc. Make this a project you do together
in a scrapbook or file. You may need this later when your
child applies for scholarships or applies for college. Or, create
an electronic planner with your child’s personal information at
OKcollegestart.org.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 89
• Have you enrolled your child in the Oklahoma’s Promise
scholarship program? Call the Student Information Hotline
for an application — 1.800.858.1840. Also, you can fill out an
application online at www.okpromise.org.
• Help your child select classes that will prepare him/her for ­college.
• If you have not started a savings plan for your child, start looking
at options now. Visit www.ok4savings.org for more information.
• Help your child get organized. Purchase a planner for
your child to keep assignments, test dates and deadlines.
Or, create an online planner at OKcollegestart.org. Being
organized will help him/her academically now and later.
10th grade
Continue to monitor your child’s academic progress.
Make sure they are enrolled in college preparatory
classes.
• Talk to your son or daughter about what they want to be in
the future. Explore careers with them.
• Continue to encourage your child to be involved in a variety
of activities and to develop leadership skills.
• Have your child take the PLAN test. PLAN helps sophomores
measure their academic skills and is a practice test for the
ACT. It provides sophomores an assessment of their interest
and level of study skills. Ask your child’s teacher or counselor
if the school participates in the PLAN.
• Make sure your child takes the PSAT/NMSQT (Pre-Scholastic
Assessment Test and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying
Test) to practice for the SAT. Studies show that the more
a student take these tests the better he/she will do.
Scholarships are often awarded to students with high ACT
and SAT scores. (Students who made perfect scores on the
test say they took the test at least four times.)
• Begin looking for scholarships that are in the area of your
child’s interest. This is a project you can do together. Review
qualifications and requirements for the scholarships and begin
gathering the necessary information.
• If your child is an Oklahoma’s Promise participant,
make sure he or she is taking the required course
work. Only students who complete the required course
work will receive the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship
when they graduate.
90 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• If you have not applied for the Oklahoma’s Promise
scholarship, this is your last opportunity! Deadline
date is June 30. Obtain an application by calling
1.800.858.1840. Also, you can fill out an application online at
www.okpromise.org.
11th grade
This is a very important time for your child. Make sure he/
she understands that now is not the time to “slack off.”
• Continue to monitor your child’s academic progress. Review
his or her transcript to ensure he or she has been taking
college prep courses. If your child is an Oklahoma’s
Promise participant, make sure he or she taking the
required course work. Only students who complete
the required course work will receive the Oklahoma’s
Promise scholarship when they graduate.
• Continue to encourage your child to be involved in a variety
of activities and to develop leadership skills. Remember
scholarship and admissions committees are looking at
academic accomplishments as well as leadership skills and
community service activities.
• Make sure your child registers to take the PSAT/NMSQT. This
is a practice test for the SAT and is used to determine the
National Merit Semifinalist. If your child scores high, he or
she may be recognized by the National Merit Foundation. This
recognition could lead to scholarship opportunities.
• Make a list of colleges you and your child/family would like
to visit in the spring. Call the college and arrange visits. Try
to visit when classes are in session and students are on the
campus.
• Help your child select classes for their senior year. Be certain
that the courses meet all graduation and college entrance
requirements. If your child is an athlete, he or she must
satisfy NCAA requirements as well. Encourage your child to
take college prep courses and not to “take it easy” during the
senior year.
• If you have not started already, now is the time to
begin gathering information on potential scholarships.
Begin gathering scholarship information from the
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 91
colleges your child is interested in attending, as well
as information on the overall cost for ­attending.
12th grade
This is a very important time for your child. Make sure
he/she understands that now is not the time to “slack
off.” Monitor your child’s academic progress. Check with
the counselor regarding your child’s Oklahoma’s Promise
status.
• Purchase a calendar and mark important deadlines and dates.
Or, create an online planner at OKcollegestart.org.
• Sign up to retake the ACT/SAT, if necessary. Talk with the
school counselor to make that determination.
• In the fall, obtain and complete college applications. Request
any information the college has on scholarships, grants and
financial aid.
• Make sure applications are mailed well before deadlines. If
the high school counselor needs to complete a section or will
be writing a letter of recommendation, be sure to allow for
the additional time.
• Do not make a college choice without visiting the college if
possible. Have your child apply to a college or university that
you know you can afford, as well as to those that will require
financial aid.
• Obtain and complete a FAFSA. You can complete this
form online at www.fafsa.com. This form must be
mailed as close as possible to (but not before) January
1, of your child’s senior year in order to receive financial
aid for the freshman year of college. Even if you know you
may not qualify for any need-based aid, you should complete
a FAFSA. Sometimes, organizations and companies offering
scholarships want to verify that you are not eligible for
need-based aid before awarding non-need-based aid. Many
colleges and universities award scholarships to individuals
based on information included on the FAFSA.
• Be patient. Finding and applying for scholarships takes time,
energy and persistence.
• Ask questions. Talk to other people who may help you to find
scholarships and grants.
• Make copies of everything and watch your deadlines!

Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.

Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success
College prep leader’s guide
and tool kit for conducting
parent workshops
Faith Communities and
American Indian Tribes
Helping Students Succeed
This project is funded in part by a Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) grant (PR Award #P11 6B030991). Additional
funding is provided by Oklahoma GEAR UP. The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with a state GEAR UP grant totaling $20.5
million in August 1999 and $20.6 million in August 2005. The grants have been matched by more than $47 million from state and partner
resources. With the addition of the 2005 multi-year, federal grant, Oklahoma’s GEAR UP program will ultimately receive more than $45.6 million in
federal funds by 2011. GEAR UP receives 49 percent of total funding from the federal government and 51 percent from other organizations.
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246
as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations, do
not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, handicap, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices
or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. This publication, printed by
the State Regents, is issued by the State Regents as authorized by 70 O.S. Supp. 2001, Section 3206. 100 copies have been printed at a cost
of approximately $1,853.25. Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all the information supplied in this publication at the time of printing, however, changes
may occur and will supersede information in this publication.
• Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
Contents
5 Notes to leaders
7 Conducting a parent workshop
How to conduct a parent workshop – step-by-step
9 How to get parents to your workshop
11 Sample announcement
12 Sample invitation
13 Sample letter
15 How to present the program
16 Sample icebreakers
17 Family sensitivity and the value of a child being the first in the
family to go to college
21 Handout: Income realities
23 Myth vs. reality of preparing and planning for college
27 Worksheet: Your child’s reality
29 Terminology
31 College glossary
35 Differences in colleges
39 Different avenues to pursue to get to college
41 Helping your child with career exploration
43 Handout: What’s that degree worth?
45 Handout: Salary comparisons
47 Why your child should make good grades and take the right classes
51 Questions to ask during parent/teacher meetings
53 Worksheet: Parent/teacher meeting
55 How to work with the school counselor
57 Worksheet: Working with your counselor
59 Differences in financial aid
61 How to search and apply for financial aid
67 Handout: The search for financial aid
69 College costs and saving for college
• Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
73 Handout: Estimated costs for students at Oklahoma public
colleges and universities
75 Planning for college – A year-by-year guide
77 Handout: Planning for college – A year-by-year guide
81 How I can encourage my child and talk to my teen about going
to college
83 Handout: Goal setting tips for parents
87 Handout: Parent checklist – Preparing your child for college
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
Notes to leaders
Congratulations! You have agreed to participate in
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success. This program
is designed to help you teach students and parents of your
group how to get ready for college and how to get help in
paying for their college education.
This tool kit has been designed to walk you step-by-step
through the process. All the materials you need to successfully
conduct the training are included in this workbook or have been
provided ­separately.
At least one week before your training date, make sure
you have enough copies of the handout materials to
provide for each participant. Additional copies can be
ordered by ­contacting:
Edra Thrower
Project FAITH Coordinator
Phone: 405.225.9198
Fax: 405.225.9230
E-mail: ethrower@osrhe.edu
Tell her the name of the handout you need and the number
of copies. Give yourself enough time to have them shipped to
you. Most of the handout materials are also available on the
Oklahoma higher education Web site:
www.okhighered.org
• Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
Conducting a parent workshop
Research shows that parents are the single most influential
factor in helping children make decisions about the future.
This is why working with parents on college prep is such an
important endeavor. The following is a work list to follow to
ensure you have a successful parent workshop.
• Pick a time and place that is convenient for parents to attend.
Schedule a block of time that includes a time for parents to
visit socially.
• This workshop can be conducted by more than one person.
If you are working with a team of presenters, hold a
meeting prior to the workshop to discuss how to conduct the
workshop.
• Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit •
How to get parents
to your workshop
There are many different ways to tell parents about your
workshop. These may include posting flyers on bulletin boards,
sending letters or invitations, reminding parents or students at
every meeting your group sponsors, placing a notice in your
organization’s bulletin or having your organization’s leader
announce the workshop during worship. You may even think of
other ways to spread the word, such as asking everyone to tell
at least one other person.
We have provided a sample invitation, letter and announcement
on the following pages. Use these samples as a guide to create
the materials that will work best with members from your
organization.
The parent workshops and materials are intended for parents of
8th – 12th grade students.
If parents of younger children are interested, you have three options:
• Go ahead and offer a separate workshop to go over the 5th
– 7th grade materials.
• Encourage the parents to attend the 8th – 12th grade parent
workshop.
• Offer to provide them with the 5th – 7th grade materials
to take home and work on as a family. The 5th – 7th grade
materials include videos, DVDs, instructor’s guides, student
activity booklets and posters.
10 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 11
Sample announcement
Your Child CAN Go to College!
It Just Takes Some Planning
As a parent, you want the best future possible for
your child. In today’s world, that usually means a
college education. It is possible for every child to go
to college with the right planning and preparation.
Learn about financial aid opportunities, what grades
your child should make, what classes your child
should take, how to work with school counselors and
more at the [Insert your group’s name here] Project
FAITH in Student Success workshop.
WHEN:
[Insert date(s) and time(s) here]
WHERE:
[Insert place here, including room number, if
necessary. Be sure to include directions, if needed.]
WHO:
[Insert name and title of workshop leader or leaders]
Call [insert phone number] to sign up or for more
information. [You may want to include a place
where they can sign up if they have no access to a
telephone.]
This can be printed in your organization’s bulletins and
newsletters or on individual flyers. Also, you can use this as
your script for verbal announcements during meetings and
worship.
12 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Sample invitation
Your Child CAN Go to College!
It Just Takes Some Planning
You are invited to attend a special workshop
on how you can help your child go to college.
Learn about financial aid opportunities,
what grades your child should make,
what classes your child should take,
how to work with school counselors and more at the
[Insert your group’s name here] Project FAITH in Student
Success workshop.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success
Presented by [Your group’s name]
[Date(s) and time(s)]
[Place]
Call [Phone number] or see [Name]
for more information and to sign up.
The invitation can be printed on postcards and mailed out, or
handed out during meetings.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 13
Sample letter
Your organization’s letterhead
Your Child CAN Go to College!
It Just Takes Some Planning
Date (insert date)
Dear Parent:
Today any child that wants to can go to college. All it
requires is making the right plans and taking the right
steps.
[Your group’s name] wants to help you learn the things
you need to know to help your child prepare for a college
education. That is why we are offering the Oklahoma
Project FAITH in Student Success workshop.
By attending this workshop, you will learn about the
differences in colleges, ways to get to college, why your
child should make good grades and take the right classes,
how to work with school counselors and teachers, what
financial aid is available and how to apply for it, and much
more.
The workshop will be held [Date(s) and time(s)] at
[Place]. Leader(s) of the workshop will be [Name(s)].
To sign up or get more information, call [Phone number]
or see [Name] at [Location].
Sincerely,
Your signature
This should be printed on your organization’s letterhead.
14 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 15
How to present the program
Beginning the meeting
Welcome everyone
Welcome participants and thank them for taking an interest in
their children’s futures.
Introduce yourself and any other presenters
Introduce yourself and tell them how a college education has
made a difference in your life or in the life of someone you
know.
Start with an icebreaker
Chances are, your participants probably know each other since
they belong to the same organization. However, it is always
good to learn something new about someone you know, and an
icebreaker will help everyone feel more comfortable in this new
learning ­situation.
You may have your own favorite icebreaker, if
not, we have provided two options (see page 16).
Go over instructions for the day
The following rules should be observed by everyone attending
the session:
• There is no such thing as a silly or stupid question.
• Always show respect to the person speaking.
• Stay on topic with questions and answers.
• Sensitive questions should wait until after the session.
• Have fun.
Tell them what they should expect to learn in the workshop
• Family sensitivity and the value of your child being the first to
go to college
• Myth vs. reality of planning for college
• College-related terms or words they will need to know
• Differences in colleges
• Ways to get to college
• How to work with teachers and counselors
• What financial aid is available and how to apply for it
• Ways to save for college
• A year-by-year planning guide from 5th to 12th grade
16 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Sample icebreakers
Goal
To make the participants feel welcomed and to be at ease.
Materials needed
• Blank paper or notepads (not provided)
• Pencils (provided, make sure they are sharpened)
Getting started
Icebreaker #1: What’s in a Name?
Have each participant introduce themselves and have them
give a word starting with the first letter of their first name that
describes them (example: Lucky Larry or Dancing Donna). Ask
them to briefly explain its significance to the group.
Icebreaker #2: Pocket Personality
Participants must produce one object from their pocket, purse,
wallet or body (jewelry, belt, etc.) that has meaning for them
and explain its significance to the group.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 17
Section 1
Family sensitivity and the
value of a child being the first
in the family to go to college
Goal
To address concerns of parents who did not go to college.
A family who has never had anyone attend college faces many
challenges. This section will identify those challenges and
problems and help family members realize that being the first in
the family to go to college is a good thing.
Materials needed
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
• Income realities handout
Getting started
Go around the room and ask parents what grades their children
are in right now and hand out the appropriate parent guides.
Discuss
Ask participants if they have reasons for not wanting their
children to go to college. Here are some reasons parents have
had for not wanting their children to go to college:
• Reason 1
My son has a job, and without his income, we can’t make ends meet.
• REASSURANCE 1
It can be hard for families who depend on money from a
child’s job, but the long-term rewards of a college education
will mean more for the family in the long run.
• REASON 2
My daughter will not be the same person if she goes to
college.
18 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• REASSURANCE 2
Growth and change are natural and are not always bad
things. Parents should understand that their child will be the
same person but will be better equipped to succeed in the
world. Most first-generation college students report that they
want to go to college to gain respect, to bring honor to their
family and to help their families financially.
• REASON 3
I’m afraid my son won’t fit in at college.
• REASSURANCE 3
Many support groups are available to college students,
such as associations made up of students with similar faith,
ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Advisors and counselors
are available to help students find these groups. Support
from parents is very important to the success of a student in
­college.
Don’t let your fears hold your child back.
• REASON 4
Our family has always made their living by working with their
hands at a good trade. I want my son/daughter to come into
the family business with me.
• REASSURANCE 4
A college education can help a family business grow by
finding different ways to make the business successful. Just
because your son or daughter wants to go to college does not
mean they will not join in the family business.
Address those reasons with the benefits of going to college
Here are some benefits to getting a college education:
• It will be easier to get a job. Most companies want workers
who have college degrees, and there are more jobs available
for college graduates than for those without college degrees.
• People without college degrees are more likely to be
unemployed at some point in their lives.
• A person who has a college degree will make $1 million
more over his/her lifetime than someone without a college
education.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 19
• College opens the door to more pleasant working conditions.
Many of the jobs open to college graduates are in offices.
• People with college educations have been shown to live
happier healthier lives. In fact, studies have shown that
college graduates are healthier, live longer, are smarter
consumers and have more varied interests than those who
don’t go to college.
• College provides the satisfaction of personal growth. Your
child can explore new subjects, meet many different people
and participate in activities they might not otherwise
experience.
[Go over the Income Realities handout with parents.]
20 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 21
HANDOUT
Income realities
Chart 1
average annua l earnings
$80,000
$70,000
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
0
ANNUAL earnings
1975
2005
1975
2005
1975
2005
1975
2005
1975
2005
Less than
high
school
graduate
High
school
graduate
Some
college/
associate
degree
Bachelor’s
degree
Advanced
degree
Chart 2
lifetime earnings
$5 million
$4.5 million
$4 million
$3.5 million
$3 million
$2.5 million
$2 million
$1.5 million
$1 million
$.5 million
0
LIFETIME earnings
Less than
high
school
grad
High
school
grad
Some
college
Associate
Bachelor’s
Master’s
Doctorate
Professional
22 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 23
Section 2
Myth vs. reality of preparing
and planning for college
Goal
To dispel some of the common myths about going to college.
Materials needed
• Your Child’s Reality worksheet
Discuss
Share the following with the participants. After you read each
Myth and Reality, ask the participants if they have any questions
or ­comments.
At the end, ask if they can add any myths to the
list. Encourage other participants to answer the myths.
• Myth 1
My child is only in elementary or junior high school. I don’t
have to think about college until they are in high school.
• Rea lity 1
It is never too early to prepare for college. For example,
developing reading and study habits while he/she is younger
will make the classes your child takes in high school to
prepare for college much easier. Also, your child can qualify
for some financial aid programs as early as the 8th grade
(more about this later). Finally, your child should start taking
the classes recommended for college readiness as early as
the 9th grade.
• Myth 2
We don’t have much money and can’t save enough to send
our child to college.
• REALITY 2
Saving even a few dollars a week when your child is in
elementary school can add up over time to help cover the
cost of college. There are also many financial aid programs
available to help families pay for college. [Tell them you will
discuss this with them in more detail in another section.]
24 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Myth 3
The papers to fill out to go to college are too hard to
understand. I could never fill them out by myself.
• Rea lity 3
Help in filling out paperwork is available from many areas.
Check with your child’s school counselor, the admissions
office at the college you are interested in attending.
• Myth 4
My child is good at sports and will get an athletic scholarship
to go to college.
• Rea lity 4
Only a small number of athletic scholarships are available
each year. Even if your child is one of the talented few who
obtain one, he or she is still going to need good grades to
stay eligible to play. Do not depend on getting an athletic
scholarship as the only way for your child to go to
college.
• Myth 5
My child is good at sports and will not need college because
he/she will become a professional athlete.
• Rea lity 5
Many students believe they can become a professional
basketball, football or baseball player, and college is not
something they should pursue. It is understandable to want
to get a college scholarship for being a great athlete, but
students must understand the reality of that dream.
There are nearly one million high school football players
and about 550,000 high school basketball players. Of that
number, about 250 make it to the NFL and about 50-60 to the
NBA.
Each year there about 4,700 NCAA Division I male athletes
vying for those 60 spots with an NBA team.
Less than 3 percent of college seniors will play one year in
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 25
professional basketball.
The odds of a high school football player making it to the
pros at all, let alone having a career, are 6,000 to 1; the odds
of a high school basketball player are 10,000 to 1. Think
about those numbers and decide what will matter in the long
run – dreaming of a shot at the pros or concentrating on a
college education.
Activities for parents
• Complete the worksheet, Your Child’s Reality.
26 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 27
WORKSHEET
Your child’s reality
Write the reality of your child preparing for and
attending college today. (Example: My child does not do well
in English.)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Write the college prep reality you would like for your
child. (Example: I would like my child to study harder in
English so that he or she may excel in English.)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Write the reality you would like for your child in the
future after he or she has attended college. (Example: My
child has finished college and is now earning a good living as a
high school English teacher.)
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
28 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 29
Section 3
Terminology
Goal
To help participants become familiar with some of the words
used in academic settings.
Materials needed
• Glossary (Make sure you have enough copies for everyone in
your workshop and that you have read over the list and are
familiar with all the terms.)
Getting started
Pass out copies of the glossary. A master copy for you to
reproduce has been provided on the following pages of this tool
kit. Tell them the glossary is also available online at:
www.okhighered.org/student-center/online-resources/glossary.shtml
or www.OKcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid/Glossary_of_Acronyms_and_Terms.aspx.
Discuss
Like all professions, education has certain terms it uses that you
may or may not be familiar with. We have put together a list
of these words to help you in planning and preparing for your
child’s college education.
This list is some of the more common words you will need to
know while preparing for your child for college. For example:
• Concurrent enrollment: This is a program that allows
eligible high school students (juniors and seniors) to take
credit-earning college courses. This means they can earn
college credit by taking certain classes in high school.
• Credit hour: Credit given for attending one lecture hour of
class each week for 15 weeks or equivalent. Most college
classes are three credit hours, meaning their total meeting
time for a week is three hours. To calculate the cost for one
course, multiply the number of credit hours the class is worth
by the total tuition and mandatory fees per credit hour.
Have them look over the list and ask questions about any term
they do not understand.
30 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 31
College glossary
Academic advisor: The person at a college or university
who helps students decide what classes to take, what major
to pursue, etc. An advisor is similar to a high school guidance
counselor.
Admission requirements: Students wanting to attend an
Oklahoma college or university must meet certain requirements,
such as achieving a specified ACT or SAT score or combination
of high school grade point average and rank in class, taking
specified high school courses, etc. to be considered for
admission.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses: Courses that allow
students to take college-level course work in high school. Many
Oklahoma colleges and universities award college credit to
students who successfully complete these courses and pass the
corresponding AP exams.
Associate degree: Degree given upon completion of two years
of full-time study or the equivalent. Most associate degrees
are awarded by two-year colleges, although some four-year
universities also offer associate degrees. Some associate
degrees transfer to four-year universities; others are for career
preparation.
Bachelor’s degree: Degree given upon completion of four
years of full-time study or the equivalent.
Class rank: Ranking of a student within a high school
graduating class based upon his or her high school grade point
average.
College: A higher education institution that generally offers
associate, or two-year, degrees but does not offer bachelor’s or
graduate level programs.
College catalog: A booklet published by an individual college
or university that contains detailed descriptions of course and
degree offerings, fees, academic policies and requirements for
graduation.
32 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Community College: Also known as a “two-year college,” a
community college grants associate degrees for transfer to four-year
institutions or for career preparation. Community colleges
usually offer flexible class schedules with smaller class sizes.
They are known as open door institutions because performance
standards (standardized test scores or combination of class rank
and grade point average) are not required for admission.
Commuter college: A college at which students live off
campus and travel to campus for classes.
Comprehensive university: See research university.
Concurrent enrollment: A program that allows eligible high
school students (juniors and seniors) to take credit-earning
college courses.
Credit hour: Credit given for attending one lecture hour of
class each week for 15 weeks or equivalent. Most college
classes are three credit hours, meaning their total meeting
time for a week is three hours. To calculate tuition, multiply
the number of credit hours for each class (three) by the cost of
tuition per credit hour.
Full-time student: An undergraduate student enrolled in
at least 12 credit hours or a graduate student enrolled in at
least nine credit hours, or the equivalent, in one semester or
academic term.
Graduate student: A student working toward a master’s or
doctoral degree.
High school grade point average (GPA): Average of all
grades earned in the 9th through 12th grades.
Higher education center: Institution with flexible admission
standards that provides higher education opportunities to
citizens in the areas surrounding the centers. The center works
with various colleges and universities to provide undergraduate
and graduate courses, and students can earn an associate,
bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Independent (private) colleges and universities:
Accredited colleges and universities that offer associate,
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 33
bachelor’s and/or graduate degrees in traditional subject areas.
Private colleges and universities are not supported by state
taxes and are not for profit. They receive the bulk of their
revenues from tuition, donations and grants.
Major: An academic subject area, such as economics or
geology, in which students take many courses and choose to
earn a degree.
Minor: An area of interest studied at the same time as a major.
It requires fewer courses than a major.
Part-time student: A student who is enrolled in a certain
number of course credits or hours which are less than full-time.
For an undergraduate student, this is usually less than 12
credits or hours. For a graduate student, it is usually less than
nine credits or hours.
Prerequisite: A course which a student must take before he or
she can enroll in another (usually more challenging) course.
Regional university: A university that offers bachelor’s
and master’s degrees, and in some instances, associate and
professional degrees. While regional universities focus primarily
on instruction, they are also responsible for extension and
public service, as well as some research. They tend to have
mid-sized student populations and campuses.
Research university: Also known as a “comprehensive
university,” a university that grants bachelor’s, graduate and
professional degrees and offers a wide variety of courses and
degree programs. Along with instruction, research institutions
also focus on research, extension and public service. Research
universities usually have large student bodies and expansive
campuses.
Residential college: A college at which students may live on
campus in dormitories or apartments.
Semester: Calendar system used by colleges and universities.
Classes and grade reports are divided into two periods in the
spring and fall, each lasting about 16 weeks, and one period in
the summer, usually lasting eight weeks.
34 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Standardized test (ACT or SAT): Test used by colleges and
universities to evaluate applicants’ academic skills and abilities.
The standardized tests most widely used by colleges and
universities are the ACT and SAT. Oklahoma state colleges and
universities rely primarily on the ACT.
State (public) colleges and universities: Colleges and universities
that receive funding from state taxes to pay part of operating
costs.
Subject area test: Standardized tests given by ACT in math,
science, reading and English. Public colleges and universities
look at these test scores when helping students enroll in
courses.
Technical branch: Institution that has a special emphasis
on education and training in technical fields. Some technical
branches offer academic courses and programs, but not all
institutions offer two-year programs that lead to an associate
degree.
Trimester: Calendar system used primarily by the state’s
technical branches. Classes and grade reports are divided into
three periods, each lasting about 10 weeks.
Tuition: Payment that students make to cover costs of their
classes at state and private colleges and universities. Other fees
may be also required.
Two-year college: An institution that grants associate degrees
for transfer to four-year institutions or for career preparation.
Two-year colleges usually offer flexible class schedules with
smaller class sizes. They are known as open door institutions
because performance standards (standardized test scores or
combination of class rank and grade point average) are not
required for admission.
Undergraduate student: A student working toward an
associate or a bachelor’s degree or a certificate.
University: A higher education institution that usually offers
four-year degrees, as well as degrees beyond the baccalaureate
level (graduate and professional degrees). They may also offer
associate degrees.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 35
Section 4
Differences in colleges
Goal
To point out the differences in two-year colleges and regional
and comprehensive universities.
Materials
• Different college recruiting materials from the different types
of colleges. You can download pages off the Internet or
contact admissions offices at the colleges close to you.
Web sites
• List of colleges in Oklahoma:
www.okhighered.org/student-center/college-univ
www.OKcollegestart.org/Explore_Colleges/_default.aspx
www.okcollegestart.org/Explore_Colleges/_default.aspx
Discuss
Use the college recruiting materials to show examples of the
differences in colleges.
There are two basic types of post-secondary education
institutions:
• Two-year: Community colleges and technical branches
• Four-year: Colleges and universities
Community Colleges and Technica l Branches
• Less than four years in length
• Usually takes two years to complete a degree program
Community colleges
• Grant associate degrees for transfer to four-year institutions
or for career preparation.
• Offer extensive night, and sometimes even weekend, class
­schedules
with smaller class sizes.
• Known as open-door institutions because, in most cases,
36 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
­admission
requirements are less stringent than four-year
colleges or universities.
• Cost to attend is usually less than any other type of college.
Ask participants to list community colleges they know of
or have experience with.
Examples: Tulsa Community College and Northern Oklahoma
­College
in Tonkawa
Technical branches
• Focus on education and training in technical fields.
• Some offer academic courses and programs, but not all offer
two-year programs that lead to an associate degree.
• Cost to attend varies due to type of program – for example,
lab fees for a degree in air conditioning and refrigeration
technology are probably more expensive than lab fees for a
degree in ­hospitality
services.
Ask participants to name the two technical colleges in
Oklahoma.
Examples: OSU Technical Branch - Okmulgee and OSU - Oklahoma City
College and uni versities
• At least four years in length
• Usually takes four years to complete a bachelor’s degree program
Regional universities
• Offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and sometimes
associate or professional degrees.
• Focus mainly on instruction.
• Also responsible for extension and public service and some
research.
• Have mid-sized student populations and campuses.
Ask participants to name some regional universities.
Examples: Northeastern State University in Tahlequah and
Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell
Comprehensive universities
• Grant bachelor’s, graduate and professional degrees.
• Offer a wide variety of courses and degree programs.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 37
• Also focus on research, extension and public service.
• Usually have many students and large campuses.
Ask participants to name the two comprehensive universities
in Oklahoma.
Examples: Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and the
University of Oklahoma in Norman
Independent or private colleges
• Accredited colleges and universities
• Offer associate, bachelor’s and/or graduate degrees in
­traditional
subject areas.
• Are not supported by state taxes and are not for profit.
• Receive the bulk of their revenues from tuition, donations and
grants.
Ask participants to list some of the independent colleges
and ­universities
they might know.
Examples: Oklahoma City University and The University of Tulsa
Ask participants to briefly discuss what college might be
best for their children to attend.
Encourage parents to explore college options by visiting the
Web sites listed at the beginning of this section or arranging
a visit through the admissions office at the college they are
interested in attending.
38 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 39
Section 5
Different avenues to pursue
to get to college
Goal
To explain alternative ways for students to obtain a college degree.
Web sites
Army www.goarmy.com
Navy www.navy.com/education
Air Force www.airforce.com
(Must register on the site to get information.)
Discuss
There are many advantages of attending college right after high school.
• College costs are usually less.
• Students are still in the “study” mode.
• Younger people usually have less responsibility and have
more time to study.
However … not everyone who earns a college degree goes
straight from high school to college, but everyone who wants
a college degree can get one. The advantages of attending
college at a later stage in life are:
• Better knowledge of what is desired from a college degree
– better job, etc.
• More focused as an adult
• Some employers will pay for college if it is related to job
­responsibilities
Here are some non-traditional ways of earning a college degree.
• Attend college part-time
Some students will begin working right after high school and
attend college part-time by taking a few classes during the day or
at night. It takes longer to earn a degree this way, but if it is the
only way to get a college education, the time invested is worth it.
40 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Military service
Some students will enter military service right after high
school to help earn money to pay for college. They will either
enlist with the regular service or sign up with a National
Guard unit. Both ways can provide students with funds to use
for college after their term of enlistment is finished or while
they serve in the Guard. Students should check with their
local recruiter to find out what opportunities are available.
Also, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
and participating Oklahoma State System institutions have
signed an Advanced Standing Agreement with the U.S. Navy
to award college credit for specific technical education and
training courses, and job experience successfully completed
while serving in the U.S. Navy.
• Career technology centers
High school and adult students at participating technology
centers can earn college credit from state colleges and
universities through Cooperative Alliance Agreements. The
benefits of pursuing a degree through an alliance agreement
include:
¡ Students can begin working on a degree while still in high
school.
¡ College credit is awarded immediately upon successful
completion of the course.
¡ Admissible students may enroll in any state college or
university and transfer courses depending on the degree
program.*
* The receiving college or university has the authority to determine the
eligibility of those courses as applied toward the desired degree plan.
Additional activities
If some of your participants have a college degree, ask them
share the path they took to college.
If some participants do not have a college degree, ask if any of
these paths might work for them now.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 41
Section 6
Helping your child
with career exploration
Goal
To provide resources to help students look at different careers.
Materials needed
• What’s that degree worth? handout
• Salary comparison handout
Web sites
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/parents/pa_section-2.shtml
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Career_Center/_default.aspx
• okcrn.org/parent_ge
• www.acrnetwork.org/parents/p_career.htm
Discuss
Why explore careers?
• One of the MAIN reasons students drop out of college is that
they do not know what they want to do for a career.
• It allows students to make better choices about their ­futures.
The more knowledge they have about what a job is really like
and what education is needed, the easier it will be to choose
a job that will fit their personality, interests and abilities.
When should they begin looking at different jobs?
Experts recommend students begin in middle school to gather
information on different jobs they may want to do.
Isn’t that too early? What if they change their minds?
Career exploration is a process. This means that it takes most
students a long time to decide what they want to do. Most will
change their minds many times before finding the right career.
42 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
How do they go about it?
There are two main ways to find out about careers.
One is to gather all the information they can find on careers
they may be interested in. They can check out books from the
library or do searches on the Internet. OKcollegestart.org helps
students identify and prepare for careers that suit their skills,
values, interests and personality types.
Other information they will want to find out includes:
• What type of education will I need to work in this job?
• Where do I get the education or training?
• Will this job be needed in the future?
• How can I advance in this job?
• What are some of the day-to-day jobs I will have to do?
• How much will I make doing this work?
Another way to find out about a particular career is to actually
do work in a job they are interested in. Some examples:
• They can volunteer with groups doing the type of work they
are ­interested
in.
• They can work at part-time jobs in the area.
• They can “shadow” or follow someone around who does the
type of work they think they might want to do.
• They might be able to do an internship in the area. This
means they will work in the area usually without pay, but
they may be able to get school credit for it.
• They may be able to take a vocational class in high school in
the area they are interested in.
Talk with the school counselor about career search ­opportunities
available at your child’s school.
Talk with your child about his or her career aspirations. Work
with your child on career exploration and encourage his or her
dreams.
Activities for parents
• Have the parents organize a job shadowing exercise for the
young people of your organization.
• Have parents talk to young people in your organization about
different career opportunities.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 43
HANDOUT
What’s that degree worth?
Degree area Average starting
salary
Change from
the year before
Chemical engineering $54,256 +4.3%
Electrical engineering $52,009 +2.5%
Computer engineering $51,496 -2.0%
Computer science $51,292 +2.6%
Mechanical engineering $51,046 +4.1%
Aerospace engineering $50,701 +9.0%
Industrial engineering $49,541 +1.8%
Accounting $43,809 +3.9%
Information sciences $43,732 -0.8%
Civil engineering $43,462 +4.0%
Economics/finance $42,802 +5.1%
Business administration $39,448 +3.2%
Marketing $37,832 +6.0%
Liberal arts $30,337 +4.2%
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers
44 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 45
HANDOUT
Salary comparisons
Associate or
Bachelor’s
Hourly
Wage
Accountant $21.05
Computer
programmer $25.91
Architect $24.80
Zoologist & wildlife
biologist $21.85
Forensic science
technician $17.88
Film & video editor $16.24
Pharmacist $32.81
Physical therapist $27.89
Education, training &
library occupation $15.00
Registered nurse $20.49
Moderate On-the-
Job Experience
Hourly
Wage
Bank teller $9.07
Data entry keyer $10.10
Landscaping &
groundskeeper worker $8.82
Veterinary assistant $8.23
Security guard $9.89
Camera operator $10.99
Pharmacy
technician $9.80
Physical therapist
aide $9.21
Child care worker $6.90
Nursing aide $8.13
Source: Oklahoma Employment Outlook 2012
46 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 47
Section 7
Why your child should
make good grades and
take the right classes
Goal
To explain the grades, classes and tests needed to go to
college.
Materials needed
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
Web sites
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/jrhigh-highscl/courses.shtml
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/jrhigh-highscl/grades.shtml
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Plan_for_College/High_School_Planner/High_School_Planner.aspx
• www.act.org
• www.collegeboard.com
Discuss
To attend an Oklahoma state college or university, your child
must take certain classes in high school and take the ACT exam.
Please open the GEAR UP Guide for parents. Find the
“Courses to Take” section. This is a list of the classes all
students must take to be able to go to a state college.
These classes will not only help your child prepare for college,
but also give him or her a valuable knowledge base for entering
the job market after high school.
Look under the “Other” section. They will need three units
from this section. These can be from any of the units listed
previously or computer science or foreign language.
48 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
There are also some additional suggestions, but not
requirements, including an additional unit in math and an
additional unit in laboratory science, plus two additional units in
speech or music, art or drama.
If you look [hold up guide and point] at the “Grades To
Make” section, you will notice the grade point average
your child must have to attend a state ­college
or
university.
Please note that to attend either Oklahoma State University or
the University of Oklahoma, a student must have a 3.0 GPA.
Also note the scores a student has to have on the ACT or the
SAT.
For the regional universities such as Northeastern,
Southwestern or Central Oklahoma, a student must have a 2.7
GPA and rank in the top 50 percent of his or her class.
Also note that to attend a community college, students do not
need to make certain scores, but they should take the required
high school classes, graduate from an accredited high school
and take the ACT exam.
It is not unusual for students to start at either a community
college or a regional university and later transfer to OU or OSU
after ­obtaining
an associate degree.
The final score on college entrance exams
College entrance exams
Admissions or college entrance exams are necessary to enter
almost any U.S. college or university. These tests are important
because, when combined with high school grades, they are
used as a predictor of success during that first year of college.
The college entrance exams most used are the ACT and the
SAT. Oklahoma uses the ACT for college entrance.
ACT
The ACT assessment is a standardized college entrance
examination that measures knowledge and skills in English,
mathematics, reading and science reasoning. Students take the
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 49
ACT assessment, a 175-minute exam, in four parts: English (75
questions), mathematics (60 questions), reading comprehension
(40 questions) and science reasoning (40 questions). Each
section is scored from 1 to 36 and scaled for slight variations in
difficulty. Scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the
number of questions answered correctly. There is no penalty for
guessing. The composite score is the average of the four scaled
scores.
SAT
The SAT assessment is a standardized college entrance
examination that is used most predominantly by colleges and
universities along the East and West coasts.
SAT Reasoning test ™
The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking
skills needed for academic success in college. The SAT
Reasoning Test assesses how well students analyze and solve
problems. It consists of 70 minutes (two 25-minute sections
and one 20-minute section) of critical reading questions; 70
minutes (two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section) of
math problems; and a 60-minute writing section, which includes
multiple choice questions and a short essay. In addition, there
is one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or
equating section.
SAT sub ject tests ™ (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests)
Subject Tests are required by some institutions for admission
and/or placement in freshman courses. SAT Subject Tests
are one-hour, multiple-choice tests that measure how much
students know about a particular academic subject and how
well they can apply that knowledge. Subject Tests fall into
five subject areas: English, history, mathematics, sciences,
and languages. They help colleges compare the academic
achievement of students from different schools where course
preparation and academic backgrounds may vary widely.
PSAT/NMSQT
(Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT
50 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Reasoning Test. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit
Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs. The PSAT/
NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving
skills and writing skills. The most common reasons for taking
the PSAT/NMSQT are to receive feedback on your strengths and
weaknesses on skills necessary for college study; to see how
your performance on an admissions test might compare with
that of others applying to college; to enter the competition for
scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
(grade 11 ); and to help prepare for the SAT.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 51
Section 8
Questions to ask during
parent/teacher meetings
Goal
To help parents be prepared for parent/teacher meetings.
Materials needed
• Parent/Teacher Meetings worksheet
• Parent Checklist (at back of book)
Discuss
Meetings between parents and teachers are very important for
the success of your child in school. If your child’s teachers do
not have regularly scheduled meetings, you should ask for one
at any time you think it is necessary. If your child is in middle
or high school, they will have different teachers for different
classes. Make sure you know who your child’s teachers are and
how to contact them. Remember, you and the teacher have your
child’s best interests at heart.
Before meeting with the teacher, talk with your child to
find out what they like about school, what they dislike
or would like changed. How does your child feel about the
teacher, the class?
Write down things you think the teacher should know, such as:
• Any unusual stress at home
• How your child gets along with others in the home
• What your child likes to do in his/her free time
• Any organized activities in which your child participates, such
as scouts, sports, music, etc.
• Previous school experiences
52 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Questions for the teacher:
• How much homework will you be giving? How should I help?
• How are grades decided?
• What is the classroom discipline policy?
• What kind of tests are given? What do they mean?
• How is my child doing in reading, math or other subjects?
• How does my child get along with others in the class?
• What does my child like to do? Not like to do?
• Does my child seem happy?
• Are there any problems?
• What happens to homework after it is handed in?
• Is there anything we can do at home to help with my child’s
progress?
Be sure to take notes so you can remember what was
said. Then be sure to discuss with your child how the session
went. Remember to praise as well as correct when you talk with
your child.
Activity for parents
Be sure to check out the Parent Checklist. Review the grade
level that your child is in and create additional questions for the
teacher based on this information.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 53
WORKSHEET
Parent/teacher meeting
Teacher’s name:________________________________________
Class/subject taught:____________________________________
Time, date, place of meeting:_____________________________
Before the meeting
Note how your child feels about the teacher, the class:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Write down things you think the teacher should know, such as:
• Any unusual stress at home
• Your child’s relationships with others at home
• What your child likes to do in their free time
• Any organized activities in which your child participates, such
as scouts, sports, music, etc.
• Previous school experiences
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Questions for the teacher
• How much homework will you be assigning? How should I
help?
• How are grades decided?
54 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• What is the classroom discipline policy?
• What kind of tests are given? What do they mean?
• How is my child doing in reading, math or other subjects?
• How does my child get along with others in the class?
• What does my child like to do? Not like to do?
• Does my child seem happy?
• Are there any problems?
• What happens to homework after it is handed in?
• Is there anything we can do at home to help with my child’s
progress?
Additional questions to ask the teacher
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 55
Section 9
How to work with
the school counselor
Goal
To help parents feel comfortable with the guidance counselor
and to know what questions to ask.
Materials needed
• Counselor worksheet
• Parent Checklist (at the end of this book)
Discuss
High school guidance counselors know what it takes to help
your child get ready for college. They have a large role in the
college selection process, and their duties include helping your
child pick a college, reminding them of testing requirements and
deadlines, and writing letters of recommendation. It’s important
for a parent to establish and maintain a relationship with your
child’s counselor.
Together, you and the guidance counselor can provide the
support to help your child find colleges that are a good match.
Questions to ask guidance counselors
• Does the school offer ACT prep or SAT prep courses?
• How many years of each academic subject does the high
school require for graduation?
• What elective courses do you recommend for college-bound
students?
• Can students who are considering college get special help or
tutoring?
• What activities can students do after school and over the
summer to better prepare them for college?
• How much homework is expected of students preparing for
college?
56 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• What do out-of-state colleges require in terms of high school
grades and SAT or ACT scores?
• Are there any special scholarships or awards that we should
know about now, so we can work toward them?
The guidance counselor should be knowledgeable on available
financial aid, which we will talk about next.
Ask parents if they have worked with their child’s
guidance counselor yet.
How did it go?
Did they feel the guidance counselor was helpful?
Can anyone else here think of other questions they may
want to ask a guidance counselor?
Activity for parents
Be sure to check out the Parent Checklist. Review the grade
level that your child is in and create additional questions for the
counselor based on this information.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 57
WORKSHEET
Working with your counselor
Counselor’s name:______________________________________
Time, date, place of meeting:_____________________________
Questions for the guidance counselors
• Does the school offer ACT prep or SAT prep courses?
• How many years of each academic subject does the high
school require for graduation?
• What elective courses do you recommend for college-bound
students?
• Can students who are considering college get special help or
tutoring?
• What activities can students do after school and over the
summer to better prepare for college?
• How much homework is expected of students preparing for
college?
• What do out-of-state colleges require in terms of high school
grades and SAT or ACT scores?
• Are there any special scholarships or awards that we should
know about now, so that we can work toward them?
58 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Additional questions for counselors
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Counselor concerns
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 59
Section 10
Differences in financial aid
Goal
To make parents aware of the different types of financial aid.
Materials needed
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 8th – 10th grade
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 11th – 12th grade
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
• Funding Your Education brochure
• Oklahoma’s Promise 8th – 10th grade flyer
Web site
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/financial-aid
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Plan_for_College/High_School_Planner/High_School_Planner.aspx
Discuss
There are several types of financial aid, including scholarships,
loans, grants and work study. The high school counselor also
has information on the different types of financial aid available.
Most colleges and universities have entire offices devoted to
financial aid services. Contact the college or university your
child is interested in attending for more information on financial
aid.
Scho larships
A gift of money (that does not have to be repaid) given to
recognize student achievement, skills and talent. A scholarship
may be based partly on financial need. Scholarships can come
from private companies, charitable foundations, religious
organizations or civic groups.
Loans
The federal government has several different types of loan
programs for college students and their parents. These loans
must be paid back. They include:
60 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Federal Direct Loans made by the federal government
directly to students and parents through colleges.
• Federal Perkins Loan Program funded by the federal
government and awarded by the college or university. These
loans have low interest rates and are repayable over a long
period of time.
• Federal PLUS Program provides low interest federal loans
to credit-approved parents of eligible undergraduate students.
Repayment begins 60 days after loan funds are paid. These
loans are available from banks, lending institutions and
participating direct lending schools.
• Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan Program provides
low-interest federal loans to eligible students through banks,
lending institutions and participating direct loans schools.
It is based on need, and the interest is paid by the federal
government for qualifying students while they are enrolled
at least half-time. Repayment begins after the student leaves
school.
• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program provides
low interest federal loans that are not based on need, and
the student must pay the interest while in school. Repayment
begins after the student leaves school.
Grants
Financial aid that does not need to be paid back, usually
awarded based on need, but can be awarded for good grades,
special skills, talent, heritage or other criteria. An example is
the Federal Pell Grant which is based on need and may be
used for tuition, room and board, books, or other educational
costs and requires no repayment.
Work Study
A federal government-supported program coordinated through
campus financial aid offices that provides jobs for students
with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay
education expenses. The program encourages community
service work and work related to each student’s course of study.
Ask participants to share any experience they might
have had in applying for financial aid.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 61
Section 11
How to search and apply
for financial aid
Goal
To help parents understand how to search and apply for financial aid.
Materials needed
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application
• Easy as ... 1 2 3, FAFSA online brochure
• Are You Looking for Money for College? brochure
• Oklahoma’s Promise 8th – 10th grade flyer
• Oklahoma’s Promise application
• OSRHE Grant and Scholarship Programs booklet
• The Search for Financial Aid handout
Web sites
• www.fafsa.ed.gov
• www.pin.ed.gov
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/financial-aid
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid/_default.aspx
• www.okpromise.org
Discuss
State grants and scho larships
The state of Oklahoma has several scholarships programs
to help pay for college. The most important for us today is
Oklahoma’s Promise. [Hold up flyer.]
This is a program for students in the 8th, 9th and 10th grades
that will help pay for their college education if the family’s
annual income is $50,000 or less.
[Hand out Oklahoma’s Promise applications.]
[If you have time, go through and fill out the Oklahoma’s
Promise application as a group. Parents will need income tax
information to complete the form, so they may have to finish
the form at home.]
62 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Tell the parents to fill out and return the application to the
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 655 Research
Parkway, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, if their family
is eligible. Also, they can fill out an application online at
www.okpromise.org.
More information can be found out about state scholarship
programs in the State Regents Grant and Scholarship
Programs booklet [hold up booklet].
Federa l Financia l Aid
The federal government has made it easy to apply for
federal financial aid. By filling out one application – the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA – you can
apply for grants, loans or work study. This application must
be filled out during the student’s senior year and requires
information from the parents’ income tax forms.
You can apply by filling out the paper application, of which you have
a copy [hold up application], or you can apply online by
­following
the steps in this brochure [hold up copy of Easy as …
1 2 3.]
[You may want to fill out the FAFSA as a group at this time.
The FAFSA requires income tax information, so the parents may
have to finish the form at home.]
If you need help in filling out the application ask the school
guidance counselor if help is available from the school or
contact the institution your child is interested in attending.
Many colleges and universities have evening or weekend
sessions just to help parents fill out these forms. Go ahead and
fill out the FAFSA even if you think your child may not qualify.
Many scholarship applications require a FAFSA be filed before
they will consider an applicant for a scholarship award.
Remember, you cannot get federal financial aid without
filling out the FAFSA.
More information on financial aid is available in your parents’
guides. [Hold up and open to the Getting Financial Aid
section.]
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 63
• Log on to OKcollegestart.org and conduct an online
scholarship search that reflects your specific interests and
abilities.
• Check for scholarships sponsored by local
organizations such as your religious organization, your
place of employment, and civic and community clubs such as
the American Legion, YMCA, 4-H Club, Elks, Lions, Masons,
Kiwanis, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, and the Girl or Boy
Scouts.
• Talk with the high school counselor about local and/or
college and university sources of financial aid.
• Contact the admissions or financial aid offices at the
schools you are interested in attending. A listing of
financial aid offices in Oklahoma colleges and universities can
be found at www.okhighered.org under the Student Center or
www.OKcollegestart.org.
Activities for parents
Writing a Leter Requesting
Information on Financia l Aid
Letters sent to colleges requesting information on available
financial aid can be kept short and simple. They should include
the types of financial aid you are requesting and what the
student’s major area of study will be, if known. A sample
letter is included at the end of this section.
Many times information on financial aid can be requested by
telephone or by e-mail from the college. They usually have
packets ready to be mailed.
Either way, make your request as early as possible. Go over
the Search for Financial Aid handout with your child before you
begin your search.
64 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 65
Sample letter
Date (insert date)
Name of College
Financial Aid Office
Address of College
City, State, Zip
Dear (name of financial aid officer):
My (son/daughter) is a senior at (name of high school) and
will be attending (name of college) beginning (date) and
majoring in (major area).
Please send me any information on available financial aid
including grants, loans and scholarships. You may send the
information to (your name and address).
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
(your name and signature)
This sample shows how to write a letter requesting information
on financial aid.
66 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 67
HANDOUT
The search for financial aid
• Call the financial aid office and check the Web site of the college
or university your child is interested in attending. Check possible
scholarships or grants and what your child should do to apply. Put
the deadline date on your calendar!
• Visit www.OKcollegestart.org, www.okhighered.org or call the Student
Information hotline at 1.800.858.1840 for scholarship information.
There is no charge for this service. Some private companies
charge a fee for this same service and information. Remember, it is
available at no charge from the State Regents.
• Apply for local scholarships.
• Network. Tell everyone (including the high school counselor)
that you are looking for scholarships. Check for scholarship
opportunities with your place of employment, your religious
organization, any organization to which you belong, etc. Also look
for scholarship opportunities in your local newspaper.
• Use books and computer programs with scholarship information. If
at all possible, utilize the Internet. Your high school guidance office
and/or the library will have books that list numerous scholarship
opportunities.
• When searching for scholarships, beware of “scholarship
scams.” Only use services that are FREE. Do not give
anyone your personal information. If you are willing to do the
work, you can find the same information yourself.
• Remember, applying for scholarships can be frustrating. You may
not get a response when you write to an address taken from a
scholarship book or computer search. If you do get a response, you
may find that the deadline has passed or that there is no longer
funding for the scholarship. Apply for more than one.
• Buy a calendar. Mark it with grant and scholarship due
dates and deadlines.
• Stay organized! Make copies of everything!
• Exhaust all avenues for scholarships and grants before applying for
loans. Also, remember that many students who are not able to get
scholarships often are able to get need-based financial aid.
• Plan early so you don’t panic!
68 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Don’t make these mistakes!
• Hurrying through the application process – Take your time.
Be sure your application forms are complete and accurate before
submitting them.
• Not being able to trace your mailings – Be sure to send all
financial aid applications and related correspondence by certified
mail.
• Underestimating or overestimating financial aid eligibility
– If possible, apply to a school that your child would like to attend
but would need financial aid. After talking with the financial aid
office, you may be surprised to find you are able to send your child
to a more expensive school. If a satisfactory financial aid package
cannot be arranged, be sure that your child has also applied to
a school where he or she meets the admission requirements and
where you can afford to send him/her without or with little financial
aid assistance.
• Taking the first financial aid package offered – Compare
financial aid packages at similar schools and determine the best
financial aid package for your child. Don’t take the first deal that
you are offered if it does not meet your needs. Ask schools if they
can “beat the other schools’ deals.” Be assertive and patient.
• Selecting colleges on the basis of their “sticker” price
– ­Because
of the way financial aid is packaged (expected family
contribution stays constant, no matter how much a school costs),
it may not cost a student any more to attend an expensive college
than a lower-priced school.
• Taking out a personal loan or charging to a credit card
– More attractive financial arrangements may be available from
the federal government, commercial organizations, or the schools
themselves. Both the Perkins and the subsidized Stafford Loans
charge no interest or principal repayment until after the student
graduates, leaves school, or attends on less than a half-time basis
(home equity loans and credit card companies charge interest
immediately).
• Being too quick to accept a college’s offer for aid – Be
careful never to miss a deadline, but don’t respond before the
deadline. Keep your options open. You may be able to use other
offers to get a better deal at the school you want to attend.
• Starting too late to look for aid – It’s never too early to start,
but it can be too late. Ideally, by the time students are in the 10th
or 11 th grades, parents and students should have already begun
the process.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 69
Section 12
College costs and
saving for college
Goal
To illustrate the current costs of a college education and help
parents understand the need and benefit of saving money for
their child’s college education.
Materials needed
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 8th – 10th grade
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 11th – 12th grade
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
• Oklahoma College Savings Plan brochure
• Estimated costs for students at Oklahoma public colleges and
universities handout
Web sites
• www.ok4savings.org
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/college-cost/estimated.shtml
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Financial_Aid/College_Cost/How_Much_Does_College_Cost_.aspx
Discuss
College Costs
College expenses vary, depending on the type of college or
university, the number of courses a student takes, a student’s
major, and his or her personal lifestyle. However, a significant
expense for most college students is the cost of classes.
Students pay tuition to cover costs such as professors’ salaries,
classroom and laboratory equipment, classroom maintenance
and utility costs. Tuition at Oklahoma state colleges and
universities is considerably lower than average tuition at similar
institutions in other states.
70 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Students also pay special fees in addition to tuition. Special
fees include library fees, computer use fees, student activity
fees and assessment fees. Some academic courses also charge
fees for the use of equipment and facilities, private instruction,
remedial ­instruction
and testing/clinical services. Private
colleges and universities (not tax supported, nonprofit) are
generally more expensive than state colleges and universities,
so check with the institution you wish to attend for an estimate
of costs.
[Ask parents to look over the college costs handout. Remind
them that while these costs may seem overwhelming, they
should remember all the financial aid opportunities discussed
earlier. Urge parents to not let the cost of college discourage
them. There is a financial aid program for just about everyone’s
needs.]
When to Start Saving
The time to start saving is when a child is born, but it is never
too late. The sooner you start saving, the more compound
interest will build up, creating a sizable college fund for your
child.
If you save $10 a week at 4 percent interest for 17 years, you’ll
save nearly $13,000.
If a family waits to begin saving for college when the child is in
the 9th grade, they’ll need to save $56.12 a week in order to
reach the same goal.
If the family puts off saving until the child is a high school
senior, they’ll have to save $238.60 a week to reach the same
goal.
Oklahoma College Savings Plan
The Oklahoma College Savings Plan provides families with a
smart, flexible way to save for their children’s future. The savings
plan offers a choice of investment options, tax advantages
and the flexibility of using the savings at any qualified higher
education institution both in the United States and abroad.
This plan allows anyone to open a special savings account for a
child’s future college expenses. The money can be used at nearly
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 71
all colleges and universities in the United States. Other benefits of
the plan include:
• No income limits – parents, grandparents, relatives and
friends at any income level may open an account and
contribute to the savings plan on behalf of a student.
• The savings may be used for tuition, books, supplies,
required fees, and certain room and board costs.
• The amount you contribute can be deducted from your ­Oklahoma
taxable income up to a maximum of $20,000 per account.
• There is no federal or state income tax on contributions to
the Oklahoma College Savings Plan.
• An account can be opened with as little as $100.
72 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 73
Expenses Research
Universities
Regional
Universities
Community
Colleges
Technical
Branches
Tuition $3,423.00 $2,825.56 $1,790.50 $2,332.50
Mandatory fees $2,126.10 $943.91 $688.27 $760.00
Academic service fees $670.47 $120.91 $65.72 $166.65
Room and board* $6,126.50 $4,189.20 $4,051.05 $5,020.00
Books and supplies $1,025.00 $947.91 $979.90 $1,336.21
TOTAL $13,371.07 $9,027.49 $7,575.44 $9,615.36
The estimated cost of attending Oklahoma colleges and universities
is calculated below for full-time resident undergraduate students
enrolled in 30 semester credit hours during the 2007-08 academic
year. Costs for room and board and books and supplies are based on
FY2008 estimated costs.
2007-08 Estimated costs for resident students
at Oklahoma pub lic co lleges and uni versities
HANDOUT
2007-08 estimated costs
for students at Oklahoma
public colleges and universities
The estimated cost of attending Oklahoma colleges and universities is
calculated below for full-time non-resident undergraduate students
enrolled in 30 semester credit hours during the 2007-08 academic
year. Costs for room and board and books and supplies are based on
FY2008 estimated costs.
Expenses Research
Universities
Regional
Universities
Community
Colleges
Technical
Branches
Tuition $12,692.25 $8,180.92 $5,276.03 $7,012.50
Mandatory fees $2,126.10 $943.91 $688.27 $760.00
Academic service fees $670.47 $120.91 $65.72 $166.65
Room and board $6,126.50 $4,189.20 $4,051.05 $5,020.00
Books and supplies $1,025.00 $947.91 $979.90 $1,336.21
TOTAL $22,640.32 $14,382.85 $11,060.97 $14,295.36
* Note: Room and board estimates are based on a student living in a
traditional dormitory with a roommate and participating in a 20-meal-per-week
plan. Many institutions offer a wide variety of room and board plans, and
costs may differ from average reported above.
74 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 75
Section 13
Planning for college –
A year-by-year guide
Goal
To present a calendar of steps to be taken from 5th grade to
senior year to prepare for college.
Materials needed
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 8th – 10th grade
• Your Official Guide to Preparing for College, 11th – 12th grade
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
• Planning for College – A Year-by-Year Guide handout
• Parent Checklist (at the end of this book)
Web sites
• www.okhighered.org/student-center/jrhigh-highscl
• www.OKcollegestart.org/Plan_for_College/High_School_Planner/High_School_Planner.aspx
Discuss
Certain steps must be taken from 5th grade on to help students
prepare themselves to enter college. The following is a list of
those steps with which you can help your child.
Remind parents that students can create an online planner at
OKcollegestart.org if they are 13 years of age or older.
76 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 77
5th Grade
• Help your child develop good study habits and study hard.
• Start saving for college.
• Watch the GEAR UP programs, The Plan (for college) parts I
and II with your child.
• Have your child read and work the GEAR UP Student Activity Booklets.
6th Grade
• Have your child continue studying hard.
• Continue saving for college.
• Have someone who has gone to college talk to your child.
• Watch the GEAR UP programs, The Plan (for college) parts I
and II with your child.
• Have your child read and work the GEAR UP Student Activity
Booklets.
7th Grade
• Your child should keep studying hard.
• Continue saving money.
• Have your child start thinking about different jobs that
interest him or her.
• Watch the GEAR UP programs, The Plan (for college) parts I
and II with your child.
• Have your child read and work the GEAR UP Student Activity
Booklets.
8th grade
• Your child should keep studying.
• Keep saving money.
• Watch the GEARing UP for college DVD.
• Enroll in the Oklahoma’s Promise if your family earns $50,000
or less per year.
• Have your child take the Educational Planning and
Assessment System’s (EPAS) EXPLORE test to evaluate his or
HANDOUT
Planning for college –
A year-by-year guide
78 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
her skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning and
to help your child begin the process of career and educational
exploration.
• Decide with your child which high school or Advanced
Placement (AP) courses will better prepare him or her for
college. AP courses allow students to take college-level
courses while in high school. Once students complete the
course, they must pass an AP exam to receive college credit.
9th Grade
• Help your child study on.
• Save on.
• Sign your child up for Oklahoma’s Promise if you did not
apply during the 8th grade. Find out about college entrance
requirements.
• Start a plan for college by having your child take core courses
that prepare him or her for college-level course work. Meet
with your child’s counselor if needed.
• Suggest your child get involved in extracurricular activities
that help develop teamwork, leadership and commitment.
10th Grade
• Have your child study, study, study.
• Save, save, save.
• Last opportunity to enroll in Oklahoma’s Promise.
• Have your child take core courses required for college entry.
• Have your child take the EPAS PLAN test to evaluate his or
her skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning and
to help review progress toward educational and career goals.
• Investigate your child’s options of taking AP courses as well
as participating in concurrent enrollment, which allows juniors
and seniors to enroll in college courses if they meet certain
requirements.
• Have your child sign up for a practice exam to prepare for
the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
(PSAT/NMSQT), which will determine his or her eligibility for
a National Merit Scholarship.
• Make a list of reasons why you and your child like different
colleges and universities – compare degree programs,
location, cost, etc.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 79
11th Grade
• More studying for your child.
• More saving.
• Have your child take core courses required for college entry.
• Explore opportunities for your child to earn college credit
while in high school.
• Have your child take the PSAT/NMSQT and the ACT or SAT exams.
• Research with your child financial aid options and deadlines
for applying.
• Attend a college day/night event in your area with your child.
• Narrow the choice of colleges and universities your child
would like to attend and visit the campuses.
• Review the Senior Checklist with your child. (Your senior
should have one if he or she attended the Project FAITH
training.)
12th Grade
• Have we mentioned that your child should study?
• Have we mentioned saving?
• Have your child take core courses required for college entry.
• Have your child explore opportunities to earn college credit
while in high school.
• Have your child take the ACT or SAT several times to
improve his or her score. Colleges use these scores to make
admissions, guidance and placement decisions.
• Review the Senior Checklist with your child. (Your senior
should have one if he or she attended the Project FAITH
training.)
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) as soon as possible after Jan. 1.
• Attend a college day/night event in your area with your child.
• Research financial aid options and deadlines for applying.
• Help your child decide which college he or she would like to
attend and submit ­admission
and financial aid applications.
80 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 81
Section 14
How I can encourage
my child and talk to my teen
about going to college
Goal
To help parents understand how to work and talk with their
­children
about preparing for college.
Materials needed
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 9th – 10th Grade Students
• GEAR UP Guide for Parents of 11 th – 12th Grade Students
Activities for parents
• Arrange a visit to a college campus for your family, then talk
to your child about the visit and what he/she enjoyed about
the visit.
• When your child makes improvements in a class or has a
good report card, praise him/her. You could say “with good
grades like this, you will do well in college or get accepted to
a college.”
• When you notice your child excelling in an area (art, math,
writing or technology), encourage him/her to pursue it as
a career. Explore careers in the field together. Talk about
colleges that offer degrees in the different fields.
• Find a young individual currently attending college to talk to
your child about college or to possibly be a mentor.
• Be a positive influence; encourage your child to excel. Be the
most positive influence in your child’s life.
• Offer your assistance as your teen is making decisions about
college. Help him/her design a plan to pay for college.
82 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Arrange a time with your teen to discuss college, interests
and future plans. Be encouraging.
• Discuss high school academic requirements and make a plan
to achieve them.
• Talk to your teen about setting goals and begin to set some
of those goals for them. Start with short-term goals, such as
making a good grade in a challenging class, and gradually
work up to long-term goals. If your child is participating in
Project FAITH, he or she should be bringing home a list of
goals that he or she has created. You and your child should
discuss the goals. Encourage your child to accomplish these
goals.
• Share your personal experience about going to college or
not going to college. Share the challenges, obstacles or
achievements. They may appreciate your perspective.
Several other activities are listed on the back panel of
the GEAR UP parents’ guides.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 83
HANDOUT
Goal-setting tips for parents
Goal setting activities are a great way for children to learn. The
learning process is continuous for everyone. Goal setting helps
you and your child focus on what is good and important to learn
for leading a happy and productive life.
Teaching your child how to live a goal-directed life will involve
lessons in planning ahead, seeking to achieve, outlining
thoughts in detail, self-discipline, character and motivation.
Why goals are important
• Goals give us direction and purpose.
• Goals eliminate or reduce set-backs.
• Goals provide great motivation and drive.
• Goal setters procrastinate less. They’re action-oriented.
• Goal setters also deal more efficiently with setbacks.
Note to instructor
Explain to parents that soon their child will bring home a list of
goals for the future. Ask parents to post the goals some place
where the family can see them. Encourage parents to talk to
their child about these goals.
Activities for teaching goal orientation
The value of hard work, goal setting and living a purposeful
life are great traits to teach your child, and you are the perfect
person to teach them.
The following is a collection of activities that you can use to
teach your children about goal setting. These activities can be
used all the time at home and at school.
• Goal of the day and goal of the week contests – select
a number of activities that can be completed within this
period of time.
84 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Yard work – A great set of activities for your child to learn
about goals can be found in and around the house or school.
• Cleaning the shed or garage – These are areas that
for most of us could use some cleaning and organizing.
Painting the floor, hanging shelves, cleaning tools and general
organization can create goal orientation.
• Housecleaning – A never-ending activity in which everyone
should participate. Think of the things your child can do from
vacuuming, doing laundry and cleaning attics. Make a list of
housecleaning goals.
• Money – Starting a savings and investment account.
• Community involvement – Introduce your child to a
charitable cause and encourage his/her investment of time
and sweat equity.
• Reading – Set a goal of reading one new book a week and
discussing it with your child.
• Words – Set a goal of learning a new word a day.
• Sports goals – Depending on which sport your child is
involved in have them set certain performance goals for the
coming season.
• School grades – Encourage your child to set goals for their
schoolwork.
• Recreational/fun pursuits – From skateboarding to piano
playing, performance improvement goals such as entering a
competition can be set and achieved.
• Cooking – This is wonderful for teaching your kids about
goal orientation. Create a theme and teach them about the
culture and history of the food you are preparing.
• Pet care goals – Set a series of goals for pet maintenance
that include walking, cleaning and playing.
• Purchases – Talk to your child about things they would like
to purchase, such as a bike or car, and create a series of
activities for them to earn money.
• Family goals – This could range from planning a family
vacation to their active involvement in home repairs.
• Friendship – Encourage your child to involve his or her
friends in creating a project that they can work on and enjoy
together. This will strengthen their relationship.
• College planning – Set goals for getting into a specific
college.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 85
• Computer skills – Have your child teach you about
operating a computer. This will certainly teach them about
the importance of having patience.
Have fun with the guidelines and suggested goal-setting
activities. Use them while making up some of your own as well.
86 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 87
HANDOUT
Parent checklist –
Preparing your child for college
There are thousands of scholarships available to students.
However, most of these scholarships have specific eligibility
criteria. For example, scholarship programs might require that a
student:
• Attend a particular college
• Graduate at the top of their high school senior class
• Have a certain ACT or SAT score
• Have excellent recommendations from teachers, principals or
community members
• Show great leadership skills or community service
• Choose a particular college major
• Overcome an obstacle or have a certain family background
• Belong to a particular ethnic or religious group
Here is a checklist for parents to help their child prepare
for college and to receive college scholarships.
Remind parents to visit OKcollegestart.org for timelines and
planners.
7th grade
Start early. Begin to plan for your child’s college during
his/her 7th-grade year.
• Parents with financial resources should begin a college
savings program if they have not already. Check out the
Oklahoma College Savings Plan. Parents who do not think
they will be able to help their child with college costs
should start researching financial aid opportunities now. Get
information about Oklahoma’s Promise.
• Begin focusing on general college planning, which includes
gathering financial aid and admissions information.
• Participate in planning for college activities offered at your
child’s school or in the community.
88 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• Visit OKcollegestart.org to obtain information about college
preparation in high school. If you have questions, call
1.800.858.1840.
• Visit with your child’s counselor and teacher(s) to make sure
your child is on a college track.
• Make sure your child knows the importance of studying hard
and making good grades.
8th grade
Although the grades that your child earns during this
school year are not used in computing his or her GPA, they
often determine placement in the 9th-grade courses.
• Make sure your child takes the EXPLORE test offered through
the Oklahoma EPAS program. Ask your child’s teacher or
counselor if the school participates in the program.
• If you have not started a savings plan for your child start
looking at options now. Visit www.ok4savings.org for more
information.
• Have you enrolled your child in the Oklahoma’s Promise
program? Call the Student Information hotline for an application
��� 1.800.858.1840. Also, you can fill out an application online at
www.okpromise.org.
• Help your child develop solid academic skills now so that he/
she will be better prepared for high school.
• Scholarship committees like well-rounded students. Help your child
get more involved in activities at school and in the community.
9th grade
Monitor your child’s academic progress closely. Don’t assume
that someone will contact you if there is a problem.
Make sure your child is enrolled in college preparatory
classes.
• Encourage your child to be involved in a variety of activities at
school and/or in the community to help develop leadership skills.
• Keep a list of your child’s school activities, honors, awards,
leadership opportunities, employment, volunteer work,
community activities, etc. Make this a project you do together
in a scrapbook or file. You may need this later when your
child applies for scholarships or applies for college. Or, create
an electronic planner with your child’s personal information at
OKcollegestart.org.
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 89
• Have you enrolled your child in the Oklahoma’s Promise
scholarship program? Call the Student Information Hotline
for an application — 1.800.858.1840. Also, you can fill out an
application online at www.okpromise.org.
• Help your child select classes that will prepare him/her for ­college.
• If you have not started a savings plan for your child, start looking
at options now. Visit www.ok4savings.org for more information.
• Help your child get organized. Purchase a planner for
your child to keep assignments, test dates and deadlines.
Or, create an online planner at OKcollegestart.org. Being
organized will help him/her academically now and later.
10th grade
Continue to monitor your child’s academic progress.
Make sure they are enrolled in college preparatory
classes.
• Talk to your son or daughter about what they want to be in
the future. Explore careers with them.
• Continue to encourage your child to be involved in a variety
of activities and to develop leadership skills.
• Have your child take the PLAN test. PLAN helps sophomores
measure their academic skills and is a practice test for the
ACT. It provides sophomores an assessment of their interest
and level of study skills. Ask your child’s teacher or counselor
if the school participates in the PLAN.
• Make sure your child takes the PSAT/NMSQT (Pre-Scholastic
Assessment Test and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying
Test) to practice for the SAT. Studies show that the more
a student take these tests the better he/she will do.
Scholarships are often awarded to students with high ACT
and SAT scores. (Students who made perfect scores on the
test say they took the test at least four times.)
• Begin looking for scholarships that are in the area of your
child’s interest. This is a project you can do together. Review
qualifications and requirements for the scholarships and begin
gathering the necessary information.
• If your child is an Oklahoma’s Promise participant,
make sure he or she is taking the required course
work. Only students who complete the required course
work will receive the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship
when they graduate.
90 • Tool Kit • Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents
• If you have not applied for the Oklahoma’s Promise
scholarship, this is your last opportunity! Deadline
date is June 30. Obtain an application by calling
1.800.858.1840. Also, you can fill out an application online at
www.okpromise.org.
11th grade
This is a very important time for your child. Make sure he/
she understands that now is not the time to “slack off.”
• Continue to monitor your child’s academic progress. Review
his or her transcript to ensure he or she has been taking
college prep courses. If your child is an Oklahoma’s
Promise participant, make sure he or she taking the
required course work. Only students who complete
the required course work will receive the Oklahoma’s
Promise scholarship when they graduate.
• Continue to encourage your child to be involved in a variety
of activities and to develop leadership skills. Remember
scholarship and admissions committees are looking at
academic accomplishments as well as leadership skills and
community service activities.
• Make sure your child registers to take the PSAT/NMSQT. This
is a practice test for the SAT and is used to determine the
National Merit Semifinalist. If your child scores high, he or
she may be recognized by the National Merit Foundation. This
recognition could lead to scholarship opportunities.
• Make a list of colleges you and your child/family would like
to visit in the spring. Call the college and arrange visits. Try
to visit when classes are in session and students are on the
campus.
• Help your child select classes for their senior year. Be certain
that the courses meet all graduation and college entrance
requirements. If your child is an athlete, he or she must
satisfy NCAA requirements as well. Encourage your child to
take college prep courses and not to “take it easy” during the
senior year.
• If you have not started already, now is the time to
begin gathering information on potential scholarships.
Begin gathering scholarship information from the
Oklahoma Project FAITH in Student Success for Parents • Tool Kit • 91
colleges your child is interested in attending, as well
as information on the overall cost for ­attending.
12th grade
This is a very important time for your child. Make sure
he/she understands that now is not the time to “slack
off.” Monitor your child’s academic progress. Check with
the counselor regarding your child’s Oklahoma’s Promise
status.
• Purchase a calendar and mark important deadlines and dates.
Or, create an online planner at OKcollegestart.org.
• Sign up to retake the ACT/SAT, if necessary. Talk with the
school counselor to make that determination.
• In the fall, obtain and complete college applications. Request
any information the college has on scholarships, grants and
financial aid.
• Make sure applications are mailed well before deadlines. If
the high school counselor needs to complete a section or will
be writing a letter of recommendation, be sure to allow for
the additional time.
• Do not make a college choice without visiting the college if
possible. Have your child apply to a college or university that
you know you can afford, as well as to those that will require
financial aid.
• Obtain and complete a FAFSA. You can complete this
form online at www.fafsa.com. This form must be
mailed as close as possible to (but not before) January
1, of your child’s senior year in order to receive financial
aid for the freshman year of college. Even if you know you
may not qualify for any need-based aid, you should complete
a FAFSA. Sometimes, organizations and companies offering
scholarships want to verify that you are not eligible for
need-based aid before awarding non-need-based aid. Many
colleges and universities award scholarships to individuals
based on information included on the FAFSA.
• Be patient. Finding and applying for scholarships takes time,
energy and persistence.
• Ask questions. Talk to other people who may help you to find
scholarships and grants.
• Make copies of everything and watch your deadlines!